Edible Wild Plants of the Northeastern American Region - Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale)

File this plant under "plants that were all around you but you never knew you could eat." In fact, if you've ever purchased mixed green salads from a grocery store or market or had a salad at a fancy restaurant, chances are you've already ate some part of a Dandelion.

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Consider this one of many self liberation PSAs. You've also seen these shows like Naked and Afraid, Alone, etc. They show you how incredibly difficult it must be to live off the land in the wilderness, when in reality, edible foods in nature are plentiful, you just need to know where to look. I'm not saying that it's not difficult to survive in the wilderness, there is a lot of preparation involved and adaptation back to the survival skills you had but just never use. Like everything on TV it's a false dichotomy where they set up this problem (in this case, live in the woods by yourself with nothing but an axe or drop you off in a foreign country where you have no real advantage in surviving) and then present a solution which they've had all along (don't ever go out into the wilderness or even try to forage for your own edible plants you stupid slave, stay in society where it is safe).

There is nothing to be afraid of. The real truth is that believe it or not, you can bring your own supplies into the wilderness and live a happy lifestyle, enjoying liberty, even if it is for a short while. Take a few days and head off into the mountains, camp outside underneath the stars, swim in a lake or stream, and be free.

How to Harvest Dandelions

First off, Dandelions have some pretty distinguishable features, meaning it is difficult to confuse them with any other type of plant. You'll want to avoid harvesting Dandelions, like with many other plants, from roadways and areas where they can be easily polluted with chemicals and pesticides. If you see them in a yard or a public park and don't know whether the grass has been sprayed with chemicals, I would err on the side of caution and just avoid. The last thing you want is a mouth full of Roundup or some other weed killer. With any type of wild plant, do your research thoroughly. Although Dandelions have no close poisonous substitute, there are many wildflowers out there that are toxic. Double check a field guide before proceeding.

Nearly every part of the Dandelion is edible, but the leaves and the roots are going to be best for harvesting. The more mature / older the plant gets, the more bitter the taste. Collect the younger roots and leaves in a bushel. If you come across older roots and leaves later in the season (fall/winter) you can use them too, but there's a different way to prepare. You'll want to try and get the entire root of the plant. Sometimes you can pull out all together, but it may involve some digging with a small garden shovel.

The Roots

Set a pot of water to boil and then throw in the roots for about 20 minutes. Peal the roots before boiling. If you have some baking soda, add a little pinch to the boiling water. Season with salt, pepper, garlic and olive oil. After boiled you can also saute them in a pan with butter for better taste.

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The Leaves

Chop the younger leaves and mix them in a salad or serve alone with vinegar or salad dressing. You can also grind or chop up finely and make dandelion tea, which has detoxifying properties.

Older Leaves / Roots

What to do with those older bitter tasting roots? You can thoroughly scrub the mature roots with a soft brush then put on a pan and roast slowly in the oven. Remove, grind, and use as a coffee substitute. Set oven to 250 degrees and turn the roots every 15 min or so. You'll want to cook until the root changes to a deep brown color. You can use a coffee grinder once the roots are a brown color to grind the roots. Add to coffee maker and prepare coffee.

The older leaves are still edible, but will be extremely bitter. You can try boiling them to get rid of bitterness or try pan frying with butter and seasoning to improve taste.

Nutrition Benefits

The Dandelion Plant has several nutritional benefits including:

1. Help to reduce weight and control cholesterol in the blood
2. Rich in Vitamin A - One of the highest Vitamin A content than any other culinary herb, which promotes healthy skin
3. Help protect the body from some oral and lung cancers
4. Provides 58% recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C
5. One of the richest sources of Vitamin K - strengthening bones and aid in improving neural function against Alzheimers

Sources:
Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods. Thomas S. Elias & Peter A. Dykeman. Sterling Publishing 1982.
DIY Natural - Dandelion Benefits By Debra Maslowski.
How to Roast Dandelion Root - Coffee Substitute By LeafTV Team.
Dandelion herb nutrition facts Dandelion Greens, Raw Natural - Nutrition Facts.

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