The common dandelion is a flowering perennial herb. The plant is famous for its yellow flower heads which turn into silver fruits that scatter in the wind. They’re commonly referred to as “clocks” in both American and British English.
It usually grows in lawns or roadsides in temperate regions of the world. Mostly considered a weed, the flower has its uses in medicine and culinary.
Dandelions are usually harvested from the wild or they’re grown in small crops as a leaf vegetable.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Taraxacum
Species: T. officinale
Binomial name: Taraxacum officinale
Dandelion Greens Trivia
- The dandelion flower opens up in the morning and closes in the evening
- The name Dandelion is taken from the French language “dent de lion” refers to “lion’s tooth” which indicates the leaves.
- Dandelion portrays the sun, moon, and stars. The yellow flower represents the sun, the “clock” resembles the moon and the scattering seeds portray the stars
Dandelion Greens Buying Guide
When buying a batch of dandelion greens, always look that their stems are thin and their leaves are firm.
Just as many other greens, avoid those that are yellowing, that have thick stems, and those whose leaves are wilted.
Dandelion Greens Production & Farming in Texas
The plant was introduced from Europe and is used in most parts of North America. They’re rarer in the Southeastern part of the United States but are still used.
As well as they’re used in salads or cooked, dandelions have other purposes. They can be used to make wine or beer as well.
Their leaves are often used to make a mild tea. Just dry out the mature leaves and use them.
Geography
Dandelions are native to Europe and Asia, but they’re used all over the world where they have conditions for it. They’ve been naturalized in North America, South Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and India.
Fertile soil is the best to use for dandelions but they will also grow well in low-quality soil. They require lots of light so don’t cover the seeds with soil. Water the seeds lightly so the top of the soil is just moist and not wet. Harvest them in late summer or fall just below the crown. Harvest them when they’re less than 10 inches long or they will become bitter.
Packaging
As is common with many other greens, dandelions are sent to the stores in large wooden boxes where they’re sold either in batches of 10-15 or in plastic bags.
Enjoying Dandelion Greens
The leaves, which are called Dandelion Greens and can be eaten either raw in different ways such as in a soup or salads.
It is common that the younger leaves are eaten raw in salads and that the older ones are cooked. This is because the raw greens have a bitter taste and when they’re younger the flavor is milder.
They work well in plenty of different ways. They can be sauteed or braised, with eggs, with pesto, or just thrown into a soup.
Storage
To store them, you’re going to need to rinse them in cold water before everything else. Wrap them in paper towels before placing them in an open plastic bags. Put it in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator and they can store for several days.
Cooking
It’s not hard to make a perfect breakfast. Sauteed Dandelion Greens with Eggs will perfectly show off your greens in collaboration with fried eggs.
To start, bring the salted water to boil in a large pot. Chop the dandelion and throw it in the pot for up to two minutes. Take them out afterward and drain.
Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat and saute the leeks until tender which is roughly about five minutes. Add dandelion in batches, one batch at a time. Cook each until it is wilted then just keep adding on.
After that, crack the eggs on top of the greens and put feta on top. Cook for about five minutes. Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
There are a bunch of health benefits that these greens can bring you. Some of them are:
- Contain potent antioxidants
- Help fight inflammation
- Aid blood sugar control
- Reduce cholesterol
- Lower blood pressure
- Promote a healthy liver
These delicious plants can also be a great source of:
- Vitamins A, C & K
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Calcium
When Are Dandelion Greens in Season in Texas?
To find out when Dandelion Greens are in season in Texas, please check the seasonal chart below. Why is this important? We are rarely encouraged to think about the physical lengths our food travels before arriving on the market shelves. And all of this travel comes with a hefty environmental cost that is concealed from the consumer’s eye. One of the most salient benefits to eating seasonally is that you are effectively reducing your carbon footprint and supporting a more geographically sustainable food economy. Check other fruit and veg that’s in season in Texas now.
