Every year we look forward to the two or three weeks in April when dandelion flowers are abundant enough to have them for lunch.

March 28, 2024

Ingredients

  • Pick enough dandelion flowers to allow about a dozen per person, depending on what else you are serving with them. 
  • Bowl of flour or gram flour (or chickpea/garbanzo flour)

Preparation

We say for lunch because they become bitter if picked in the evening—if you like bitter tastes, that’s not a problem—but they are tastier if gathered on a warm, sunny morning.

Pick enough dandelion flowers to allow about a dozen per person, depending on what else you are serving with them. Wash them in water, then shake off the excess and roll the flowers while they are still wet in a bowl of flour or gram flour (or chickpea/garbanzo flour).

Fry in a little oil until they are browned on each side. Salt to taste. Serve hot, with a salad and whatever else you like. The taste is more breaded mushroom than dandelion, and they are remarkably good.

Alternatives: Add some chopped herbs to your flour mixture, and cook the flowers with garlic. If you use gram flour, they will be gluten-free.

About this recipe

Recipe provided by THE FORAGER’S COOKBOOK: Identify & Prepare Edible Weeds & Wild Plants

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Ingredients

  • Pick enough dandelion flowers to allow about a dozen per person, depending on what else you are serving with them. 
  • Bowl of flour or gram flour (or chickpea/garbanzo flour)