My dad spends a lot of time keeping dandelions out of our yard. Our grass is so green, the next door neighbor says it looks like a golf course—and I haven’t been on one before, but I bet he may be right. Dad doesn’t like weeds. At all.
But I wonder what he would think if he knew that dandelions don’t quite live up to their “bad weed” reputation? In fact, in some countries, people have been picking dandelions for a very different reason altogether: to eat them.
I know. My throat squeezed tight at the thought of that too. But apparently, dandelion greens and roots are FULL of vitamins, minerals and (gasp!) are healthy. My grandma says they are one of the most nutritiously dense greens you can eat.
Grandma says the best time to harvest dandelions is early in the spring, before they flower. You can use them in salads or sandwiches—and I guess, they’re not bitter at all. I don’t know, Grandma once told me her garden radishes weren’t spicy and THEY WERE!
Even if I won’t eat them—willingly—millions of people do. And you know what? Others, say that they are great for making wine – I know nothing about that either! They’re not the only Alberta “weed” with some nutritional benefits. Further along in the challenge I’m going to talk about other “weeds” that grow...and aren’t really pests at all.
The A to Z Blogging Challenge breaks tomorrow (it’s Sunday!) and resumes Monday with the letter E. Happy Easter!
Gotta jet!
— Chase Superman Duffy
When I was a child, I remember going to pick up dendalions with my grandparents. I had nearly forgotten that!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like fun, Sarah. My sister brings my mom dandelion bouquets all the time. I'm not allowed to tell her that they are weeds.
ReplyDeleteAnd...Congratulations! You've won one of the Chase Superman Duffy comics! Please email your address to chase.superman.duffy@gmail.com. Thanks!