Vitamins & Minerals Free for the Taking! Dandelion Greens

Vitamins & Minerals Free for the Taking!

Dandelion Greens

Okay, so we know how good Dandelions are for us.  But it is so tempting to curse the devils in the spring when you look out on the lawn at all those white seed heads blowing in the breeze.  But man, they are so very good for us.  If we can just get over our mania for a perfect lawn, we could realize that those dandelions are nature's powerhouse, packed with all kinds of health benefits and nutritious vitamins and minerals---all free for the taking and just taking minutes to harvest (without, I might add, any other work involved such as buying seeds, planting, cultivating, weeding or anything else!)

What vitamins you ask?  Glad you asked.  The Dandelion greens contain vitamins A, C and K, E, folate and B vitamins.  They are also packed with minerals like calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium.  Do you think that's why they are so prevalent in our lives, because we need all that so much?  Not only that, but the greens are a good source of fiber supporting healthy digestion and very low in calories (great for those watching their weight).  High in antioxidant power, they help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, support liver function, relieves constipation, has a natural diuretic action so it gets rid of bloating and water retention, and some research is finding that there is something in Dandelion greens that may help regulate blood sugar levels.  With all that to the good, it doesn't stop there.  They can boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol and there are even hints that it may have anti-cancer properties, though more research is being done on that.

Now here's where it gets interesting.  I was always all for Dandy greens (as I call them), but they were always what I turned to in the spring.  I'd have a few salads and be done for another year.  But I recently learned that Dandy greens can be used year-round!  All you have to do is harvest, prepare and freeze the greens.  So, we can harvest as much as we can in the spring and have all we might ever need ready for us at a moment's notice!

To successfully freeze Dandelion greens, you need to properly prepare them.  First, wash and trim the leaves.  Then, blanch them for a few minutes in boiling water before plunging them into an ice bath.  After the blanching process, pack the greens into your chosen container or plastic freezer bag.  You can even pack them in the right quantity for how you want to use them, perhaps a cup per bag, then place the bags into one gallon size bag to keep them together.

What are some ideas to using your Dandy greens?  Add some leaves to some of your vinegar-based salads for a slightly bitter and peppery addition, sauté them with garlic and olive oil as a side dish, blend them into smoothies for a nutritional punch, add them to soups and stews for extra flavor and nutrients.

There are some things to keep in mind though.  Make sure your Dandelion greens are sourced from a safe and reliable source, in yards that are free of pesticides or other chemicals.  Also, the greens can interact with certain medications, so contact your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional if you have any concerns.  And last, make sure you consume Dandy greens in moderation as the diuretic effect is quite effective.

All that to say, you have the power to gather up some yummy vitamins and minerals for absolutely free.  I don't know why I never thought of freezing them.  It is the perfect way to be able to use them year-around.  I freeze many other herbs, I just never really thought about it I guess.  But now that I am aware, you can bet it is going into the freezer like my Chives and Swiss chard harvests.