Wild Salad

[truthman]

Well, tonight I went out in the backyard and picked a nice, big, long, green dandelion leaf. I read that they are very nutritious and not poisonous, so, I thought I'd give it a try.

I brought it in, washed it in cold water, and ate it. It was divine! I have found the perfect complement to the boring, iceberg lettuce salad. In my backyard no less!

You all have got to try this. Now, I'll warn you, if you've never ventured past your basic buffet salad at the local steakhouse, you might be surprised by the apparent bitter taste. But, be openminded, try it, and let me know what you think.

truthman

p.s. Don't just go eating plants that you find. Do research first, they might be poisonous!

[Alberta girl]

I worked in a Greek restaurant many years ago and every spring they went out into the country, brought back an armload full of dandilions and made a cream soup out of it ( which I was not brave enough to taste ).

[Teallaura]

I've always wanted to try polk salat (yes, that's how you spell it) but never had the nerve to try since I'm really not sure about just when to pick the leaves (they're only edible at a certain stage). Still, I'd like to try - and the polk salat is just beginning to come up... Hmmmm......



P.S. The song is "Polk Salat Annie" not "Polk Salad Annie".

[truthman]

...and this morning I had Lamb's Quarters (often nicknamed 'pigweed'). It's a cousin to the spinach. Very good stuff, and once again, I have about 5 of these 6 foot tall plants in my yard. The only reason they're called weeds is because they choke out other plants.

Wow, I might cut out my need for the grocery store someday! ha

truthman


p.s. Don't just go eating plants that you find. Do research first, they might be poisonous!

[Jedidiah]

You all have got to try this. Now, I'll warn you, if you've never ventured past your basic buffet salad at the local steakhouse, you might be surprised by the apparent bitter taste. But, be openminded, try it, and let me know what you think.

Dandilions are not bitter if you pick them nice and young.

[Jedidiah]

I worked in a Greek restaurant many years ago and every spring they went out into the country, brought back an armload full of dandilions and made a cream soup out of it ( which I was not brave enough to taste ).

I expect the soup was good. I used to dry dandilion leaves for tea. A very rich, almost meaty, tea. Good stuff.

[Jedidiah]

...and this morning I had Lamb's Quarters (often nicknamed 'pigweed'). It's a cousin to the spinach. Very good stuff, and once again, I have about 5 of these 6 foot tall plants in my yard. The only reason they're called weeds is because they choke out other plants.

When we lived out in the bush we used to eat pigweed, and strawberry spinach as well. I have only eaten them as cooked greens though.