Dandelion greens salad?

[C.Ann]

Ever eat it? I was reading a book today where they were mentioned and it reminded me that my grandmother (Italian) used to make some kind of salad with them - with olive oil and I-don't-know-what-all-else.. I never ate it, so I don't have any idea what it tastes like..

I think she also made "dandelion wine".. Does that sound right?

 

[AKL_Megs]

When I was growing up, I had a Persian friend, and her mom often went "picking" along a main road for them, along with grape leaves. I want to say she mixed them with olive oil and tomatoes, and some spice. VERY bitter, but good if you like bitter greens.

 

[wdwmom2]

My grandmother used to pick them and give them to my mom. Mom would cook them with egg, bacon, and some kind of vinegar dressing.

But now that I am grown and have broadened by culinary horizons, I might actually like them!

 

[brenalexacamp]

my grandmother would make the dandelions- in a minasta-I know there was pepperoni in it and she would make a cornmeal "pizza" in the oven- (polenta)

 

[NotUrsula]

French and Italian salad recipes often call for them. However, there is a reason why the French name for dandelion greens is what it is; they do keep your bladder VERY active.

 

[C.Ann]

French and Italian salad recipes often call for them. However, there is a reason why the French name for dandelion greens is what it is; they do keep your bladder VERY active.

Huh??? Then I wonder if that dandelion "tea" she used to make was some kind of herbal medicine? My mom made me drink it once - and never again!!! Also another "tea" from some weed grandma picked across the road from us.. That was a "one shot deal" too!

 

[LisaNJ25]

yep.. but cooked with olive oil, vineger and salt. Also chunks of raw onion but the onions kill me anymore. For us its a greek thing.

 

[denisem]

40 yrs. ago when I was about 17-18 y.o., my mother told me about my grandfather's dandelion wine and I HAD to try making some. 'Twas a lot of work and I recall it being really sweet - but, boy did it have a kick!

(Lest you think my parents were contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the drinking age then was 18, and I came from a farm family.)

 

[NotUrsula]

Huh??? Then I wonder if that dandelion "tea" she used to make was some kind of herbal medicine? My mom made me drink it once - and never again!!! Also another "tea" from some weed grandma picked across the road from us.. That was a "one shot deal" too!

Yes, well, I can't print the French common name here because it will trigger off the blocking, but let's just say it's descriptive of the effect. Any product made from the leaves will be a very effective diuretic. However, dandelion also contains a lot of potassium, so it's one of the best diuretics available, because it replaces most of the potassium that is depleted by the diuretic effect.

It's bitter when served raw; so it is often mixed in salads with fruit and berries to sweeten it, and it's important to use only young shoots; the more mature the plant, the more bitter the flavour. Any salad identified as containing "field greens" or "mesclun" is likely to contain some dandelion leaves.

 

[NHdisneylover]

My grandmother used them in salads all the time. As others have said, they were kind of bitter, but not bad. I would't have a salad of just them though.

 

[indimom]

Ever eat it? I was reading a book today where they were mentioned and it reminded me that my grandmother (Italian) used to make some kind of salad with them - with olive oil and I-don't-know-what-all-else.. I never ate it, so I don't have any idea what it tastes like..

I think she also made "dandelion wine".. Does that sound right?

Can't say about the salad, but I've had dandelion wine...NASTY STUFF!!! You just gave me the shivers and I only had it once over 15 years ago.

 

[TLuvsD]

My dad grows the dandelion for salad...but it's different than the common weed plant. He calls it Italian Dandelion, and when I've bought seeds that is what I've ordered. Much larger leaves, not as bitter, especially when young. DH and my dad love the salads (greens with olive oil and balsamic vinegar). Our tortise loves it,too (plain).

 

[Disney Doll]

We had a neighbor when I was growing up...an elderly Italian man that everyone called "Pop"...that used to pick the dandelions from all our yards to use to make salads and wine.

Pop lived to be like 95 or maybe even 100, so it couldn't have been bad for him!!!!!

 

[marlynnp]

Yes, it's PA Dutch. And it IS the same weed that grows in your lawn. You must pick the leaves before they bloom. It is eaten with hot bacon dressing. It's rather like endive.

 

[C.Ann]

Well look at that - all the free food just sitting there for the pickin'..

 

[Lauralee]

There is a lovely 90-something year old Italian grandma who has videos on youtube featuring her depression era cooking. I don't have a link to give you, but her name is Clara. She has a video where she picks dandelions out of her yard and makes a salad with them. You will probably enjoy her other video recipes as well! Just do a youtube search for Clara depression cooking dandelion salad.

Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51VhG8MKxJY

 

[PatsMom]

Well look at that - all the free food just sitting there for the pickin'..

That is exactly the reason we had to eat dandelion greens when I was growing up. They pop up early well ahead of most of the garden vegetables. So my mother was able to get fresh greens free while waiting for the garden to be ripe. They weren't bad but they aren't something I would go out of my way for. She served them like spinach a lot of times - we would just eat them with some cider vinegar.