Delicious dandelions: If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em

Some Islanders aren't cursing the annual invasion of the dandelion. They're cooking them, and making all kinds of delicious goodies out of the bright yellow plant of spring.

'It's funny because people try so hard to get rid of it when really it's so useful'

Nancy Russell CBC News Posted: May 22, 2017 7:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: May 24, 2017

Tracey Allen admits dandelions can be tough to harvest, as anyone who has dug one up already knows.

It's that time of year again on P.E.I. the annual invasion of the dandelion. But instead of cursing the bright yellow plants, some Islanders are choosing to cook them, and making all kinds of delicious goodies.

Dandelion treats will be front and centre at this year's Dandelion Festival, the 11th edition of the event, and samples of dandelion pancakes and syrup will be served.

But more and more Islanders are eating and drinking dandelions year round, thanks to P.E.I. businesses who are making the most out of the huge harvest of dandelions available at this time of year.

Story Sheidow uses dandelion in a tea blend that is served as a coffee substitute. (Townes Herbals/Facebook)

"It's kind of an underdog," said Story Sheidow, who's a chartered herbalist. Her company is called Towne Herbals, based in Head of Cardigan, P.E.I., and the company logo even features a dandelion.

"It's funny because people try so hard to get rid of it when really it's so useful," she said. "I'm excited to celebrate the dandelion. It's one of the few herbs that you can eat raw or cooked and you can use every part of the plant."

Nice rich dark green

If you don't have enough in your yard, she pointed out, you can even purchase dandelion greens at some grocery stores, next to the kale and collards.

"They're really high in Vitamin C and zinc and potassium and iron. They're actually super good for you, they're a nice rich dark green."

The dandelion leaves can be served with some lemon juice and salt and pepper, like collards. (Submitted by Sitti's Garden)

Sheidow suggests using the leaves in salads, with lemon and salt and pepper, like collard greens.

She also uses parts of the dandelion in tinctures and teas.

If you just go out in your lawn and dig up the dandelion there, you can make some wine and everybody wins.- Story Sheidow

"It's really good for your digestive system and for water retention and detoxifies the liver," she said.

She uses dandelion in a tea blend that is used as a coffee substitute.

"You can also use flowers for dandelion wine," she said.

Ironically, Sheidow lives in a forest and has only just planted a yard last year so she will actually have some dandelions to harvest. She was even having trouble last year finding enough dandelions for her products.

"Which is funny because I would definitely save them."

Roasted dandelion root smells like a cross between coffee and chocolate.

To save dandelions, she says to pick them and dry the leaves, hang them upside down with a paper bag over them and put them in a closet.

"To dry the roots can be tricker because you need the right humidity so they dry out properly," she said.

Everybody wins

Sheidow recommends Islanders embrace the dandelion, not despise it.

"It's interesting that people have such as hatred towards it because it is a nice flower," she said.

You don't have to look very far afield to find dandelions in the spring on P.E.I.

"I think just because it's hard to control, it makes people frustrated and that's fair enough."

Resistance, in this case, is futile.

"If you just go out in your lawn and dig up the dandelion there, you can make some wine and everybody wins."

Entire dandelion

Tracey Allen is just getting into products made from dandelions. She owns Sitti's Garden, a small farm with vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers in Covehead, P.E.I.

These are some of the products that Tracey Allen of Sitti's Garden has created from dandelions. (Submitted by Sitti's Garden)

"I've actually made roasted dandelion before just for myself,this is the first year doing it for sale," said Allen.

"I love that you can use the entire dandelion, the flowers are used for the jelly and candy and the leaves and roots for tea."

Roasted dandelion root, she points out, is often used as a substitute for coffee.

"It smells like a cross between coffee and chocolate," she said.

Back to the basics

Allen believes the under-rated dandelion may soon be moving into the spotlight.

"All herbal teas and medicinal type products are growing in popularity," said Allen.

Every part of the dandelion can be used to make something delicious, according to two fans of the plant on P.E.I. (CBC)

"I think people are starting to go back to the basics and you can't get more basic than dandelions."

For another thing, they are plentiful on P.E.I.

"There are lots of them so I don't need to 'grow' them," she said.

"I don't spray pesticides so these are good for consumption."

Digging deep

The only down side, says Allen, is obvious.

"As anyone trying to get rid of them knows, they have deep roots so it is fairly labour intensive," she said. "I used a dandelion harvester, most would call weeder."

You can even find dandelion greens in some grocery stores. (Holly Caruk/CBC)

Products made with dandelion flowers maintain the yellow colour, including the candies.

Allen is just testing the waters with her first dandelion products.

"If the dandelion products sell, I'll continue to carry them throughout the season," she said. "I'm looking at a dandelion balm but it depends on my time."