Delicious Dandelions

By: Amy Kikuchi

Social Media Coordinator, CYBN 
​Amy has a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and is passionate about harvesting healthy and delicious plants found around Ontario. Check out her website @ ecpickings for more content!

Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are one of the most versatile weeds. They originate from Eurasia but are not considered invasive in Ontario because they do not cause significant damage to native plants and local ecosystems.
 
I love dandelions because the whole plant is edible and nutritious! You can eat the leaves in a salad, make “dandelion coffee” with the roots, and use the flowers to make all sorts of things like jelly, syrup, and even infused soaps and lotion bars!

Do you have a lot of dandelions in your yard? Not sure what to do with them?
 
Try making some Dandelion Fritters! They are easy and tasty, and can be made sweet or savoury.

Recipe:
About 2 C. of freshly picked Dandelion flowers (make sure to pick from clean, unsprayed areas)⁠
1 C. Flour⁠
1 C. Milk⁠
1 Egg⁠

​Directions:
Briefly wash dandelion flowers, and make sure they are clean! In a bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, and egg until 

Dandelion Flowers.

smooth. Warm oil in a skillet at medium heat. Holding the bottom of the dandelions, dip the flowers into the batter and place gently into the oil. Do not crowd the pan. Once they start to turn golden brown, flip, and brown the other side. Remove from the pan and drain any excess oil. Serve fresh!

That’s it! Isn’t it so simple?
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If you want your fritters sweet, you can top them with some syrup or powdered sugar. If you want them savoury, try adding some spices to your batter, or dip them in some hot sauce. I like to eat mine dipped in some spicy mayo! Yum!

Dandelion Fritters.

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Disclaimer: Do not consume any wild plant unless you are 100% sure of its identification. Be sure you are picking from non-polluted areas, away from roads, and where no pesticides or other contaminants may have been used. Consult your doctor before consuming wild plants.