Almost everyone is already growing them! And trying to get rid of them! They make a great salad. However, the later in the season it gets, the more bitter and tough they taste but they are still edible. I believe all parts are edible (except perhaps the roots but that might be used for other things, such as a drink). Source of protein, calcium, iron, Vitamins A and C.
Also, plantain, another weed (not talking about the banana-ish thing here). Google the images so you'll know what you're looking for. It's likely you played with the stem as a child to shoot the seed heads of them off into the yard somewhere. The leaf is great in/as salad.
Also, wood sorrel, yet another weed. Heart shaped leaves in a 3-leaf clover pattern, tastes like lemons.
If you're a horrible gardener, consider buying a paperback guide to edible wild plants in your region. BUT do also try to grow other things that the other pedes on here mention because you want a variety of nutrition.
BEWARE: As these are "weeds" make sure you aren't pulling/eating weeds that have been sprayed with chemicals. Unless you LIKE having a penis grow out of your forehead.
Thank you for bringing back a great old memory. We foraged for a lot of things when I was a kid. Mushrooms, wild asparagus, dandelions, raspberries, blackberries, and nuts. Simpler times.
My mom didn’t really use a recipe. She mixed bacon fat, salt, pepper, sugar, and apple cider vinegar until it was steaming. I never remember her measuring, just cooking to taste.
My personal favorite recipe came from a collection of Amish recipes called Cooking from Quilt Country. I can’t find a version of it online.
Here is one pretty close. I personally prefer apple cider vinegar over white vinegar.
We had them in the woods, in Oregon. Better than spinach. Also fiddlehead ferns. Take a bag or basket and scissors, cut the tips of the nettles into that so you don't touch them. Although, handling them with gloves will break off the little poison spikes and make them safer before cooking.
Short answer: dandelions
Almost everyone is already growing them! And trying to get rid of them! They make a great salad. However, the later in the season it gets, the more bitter and tough they taste but they are still edible. I believe all parts are edible (except perhaps the roots but that might be used for other things, such as a drink). Source of protein, calcium, iron, Vitamins A and C.
Also, plantain, another weed (not talking about the banana-ish thing here). Google the images so you'll know what you're looking for. It's likely you played with the stem as a child to shoot the seed heads of them off into the yard somewhere. The leaf is great in/as salad.
Also, wood sorrel, yet another weed. Heart shaped leaves in a 3-leaf clover pattern, tastes like lemons.
If you're a horrible gardener, consider buying a paperback guide to edible wild plants in your region. BUT do also try to grow other things that the other pedes on here mention because you want a variety of nutrition.
BEWARE: As these are "weeds" make sure you aren't pulling/eating weeds that have been sprayed with chemicals. Unless you LIKE having a penis grow out of your forehead.
Happy weed pulling!
When I was a kid my mom would send us out with a bucket and little spade to dig up dandelions. She would make a wilted salad with hot bacon dressing.
what, a hot bacon dressing? that sounds tasty.
Oh stop, I'm getting hungry!!! That sounds divine.
Thank you for bringing back a great old memory. We foraged for a lot of things when I was a kid. Mushrooms, wild asparagus, dandelions, raspberries, blackberries, and nuts. Simpler times.
Tsearch would you share a recipe for hot bacon dressing. Thanks. That brought back some memories.
My mom didn’t really use a recipe. She mixed bacon fat, salt, pepper, sugar, and apple cider vinegar until it was steaming. I never remember her measuring, just cooking to taste.
My personal favorite recipe came from a collection of Amish recipes called Cooking from Quilt Country. I can’t find a version of it online.
Here is one pretty close. I personally prefer apple cider vinegar over white vinegar.
https://www.acoalcrackerinthekitchen.com/2018/09/10/pa-dutch-hot-bacon-dressing/#wpzoom-recipe-card
Not really a Q topic, but let’s just say saving your bacon fat is a survival tip for when the storm is upon us.
Thank you. Will make survival tastier.
The big old bitter dandelions are the ones that are best for medicinal tea, though.
Also try nettles, you cook it like spinach and you may also use it to create textile if they’re not tender anymore.
Yes! Just don't touch them (to harvest) with your bare hands lol. Voice of experience on that one.
We had them in the woods, in Oregon. Better than spinach. Also fiddlehead ferns. Take a bag or basket and scissors, cut the tips of the nettles into that so you don't touch them. Although, handling them with gloves will break off the little poison spikes and make them safer before cooking.