While Russian gardeners consider dandelion a vicious weed and wage a fierce struggle with it, enterprising French people breed it as salad greens. There are many useful substances in the roots, leaves and flowers of "yellows". Let's take the French example and make a healthy salad with dandelions.
Can you eat dandelions?
It is not only possible, but even necessary. Many have heard about their benefits. Only not everyone dared to taste the weed. Those who dared to do this, most likely, did not appreciate its specific bitterness. You can not worry about this, because simple manipulations before cooking will easily remove the bitterness.
What is better to eat: roots, leaves or flowers?
All parts of the dandelion are rich in vitamins and minerals. Leaves are especially rich in them. They are high in vitamin C, calcium, iron and phosphorus. We will use them to prepare a light and healthy salad. He diversifies the diet and will help in the fight against spring vitamin deficiency. By the way, the leaves are suitable not only for salad, but also for soups, seasonings for meat and fish dishes.
In general, from a gastronomic point of view, dandelion is a universal plant. In the sense that all of its parts can be used - and roots, and leaves, and flowers. From the latter, you can make not only jam, but also side dishes, soups, salads and even wine. Dandelion roots are good for making tea if they are dried beforehand.
Preparing dandelion leaves
Good for eating only. They are of maximum benefit. And they taste juicy and with a minimum of bitterness. It is important to have time to collect them before the buds appear. Otherwise, the leaves will become tough.
Collect in dry weather and away from highways. The farther from civilization, the more benefit the dandelion will have.
After harvesting, rinse and cut the leaves. You don't need to cut them if you plan to use them entirely. Fill with cold water, after adding salt to it. The proportions are approximately as follows: 3 tbsp. l. salt per 1 liter of water. Let the leaves sit in the brine for about an hour. During this time, bitterness will come out of them.
If you plan to heat the leaves, you do not need to soak them in brine. When heated, the dandelion will completely lose its bitterness.
Simple Dandelion Salad: Minimum Movement and Maximum Benefit
- 2 medium fresh cucumbers;
- a bunch of dandelion leaves;
- 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil;
- a bunch of green onions;
- a handful of crackers.
- Soak dandelion leaves in salt water to neutralize bitterness.
- Chop the leaves and green onions, just do not chop. If desired, you can add other greens, such as dill.
- Cut the cucumber into slices.
- Add croutons. If you are monitoring calories, you can safely exclude this ingredient. For a more satisfying salad, add boiled eggs.
- Season the salad with oil and serve. Dandelion hats can act as a bright decor.
