Yard Larder: Dandelion Flower
Where I live, in rural Maine, the dandelion is not viewed as a yard intruder. We don’t mind wildflowers popping up in our yards. I shouldn’t speak for everyone, I guess, but I certainly don’t mind. I think they’re pretty, and thanks to a friend, see the flowers as a tasty appetizer, too.
Eat dandelion flowers? You bet! Dandelion flowers are the basis for dandelion wine. For a side dish, here’s a recipe for Dandelion Mushrooms that will surprise you with it’s flavor, which is reminiscent of friend mushrooms. This is the basic recipe. Use your kitchen creativity to spice it up how you like.
Dandelion “Mushrooms”
15 dandelion flowers, rinsed in water, but still slightly moist
1/2 cup flour or cornmeal
Enough butter or oil to fry
The previous three ingredients are really all that’s needed for this treat, but if you’d like a battered version, here are those ingredients.
1 egg
1/4-1/3 cup milk (depending on how full you like batter)
1/2 cup flour
Heat the butter/oil in a heavy frying pan.
Dredge the moist flowers in flour, or dip in batter to cover.
Fry quickly, turning to brown all sides.
These are best hot, but are good no matter what. I add salt and pepper at least, sometimes cajun spice or cayenne pepper. Flex your creative muscles.
Photo credit: ugod
Yard Larder: Wild Blueberries
These little gems are rock stars in the yard larder! They flourish every two years, and in my neck o’ the woods, this is the “on” year. I’ve done a preliminary check on my local sources, and I can’t wait ’til the end of July, when they’ll be ready to pick! Smaller than their high-bush counterpart, they pack a bigger flavor punch, in my estimation. They’re a job to pick by hand, but they freeze beautifully. Unlike wild strawberries, they can be put immediately into freezer containers, and they won’t stick together!
If you’re going to venture into wild blueberry harvesting and never have before, be aware that there is more than one low growing blue berry. If it doesn’t have the trademark “crown”, it ain’t a blueberry!
Ideas for using wild blueberries include the standard muffins, pancakes, jam and pies, but also think of sprucing up a salad with some wild blues. Frozen and put in a smoothie, wild blues add substance AND big flavor! On top of ice cream, mixed with yogurt, and even stirred in with vanilla pudding, a handful of wild blues can add an antioxidant boost to dessert. A blueberry sauce can really add a twist to grilled chicken or pork, too. Don’t be limited in your imagining tasty uses for wild blueberries!
Photo credit: Ben Stephenson
Yard Larder: Dandelion Greens
Many people have a love/hate relationship with dandelions. Some of us consider them wildflowers; others, a weed. I’m in the former category. I like to look at them…and I like to eat them! As far as nutrition is concerned, dandelion greens rate pretty high with respectable daily percentage values of iron and calcium, and off-the-chart values for Vitamins A and K. Read more
Fried zucchini flowers
Zucchini plants were always plentiful in my grandparents’ garden. Anyone who grows zucchini successfully knows that, at some point, one can wish there weren’t so many! Here’s a great way to enjoy the zucchini plant and put a little production reduction into place.
The following is the primary ingredients in the breading. Amounts are completely fluid.
Zucchini flowers, rinsed. (use the male flowers…those without a fruit behind the blossom). Also, early in the day is the best time to harvest. The flowers close and wilt as the day progresses. Always beware of bees hiding in the flowers!
In one bowl, mix together egg and milk (start with one egg and enough milk to make the mixture thin)
In another bowl combine flower, garlic powder, salt pepper. Other optional ingredients are dried parsley, basil, and/or oregano.
Heat a small amount of oil in a fry or saute pan until the oil shimmers.
Dredge the zucchini flowers in first the egg/milk mix and then the flour mixture.
Place in the hot oil and cook just until the flower browns, flipping when the first side is finished. Place on paper towel to remove excess oil.
I like these best fresh out of the pan, but they work no matter what. Also, these can be a different, interesting pizza topping… Also, I’ve used flowers from other summer squash and smaller winter squash to good effect.
Photo credit: Allerina and Glen MacLarty
Boat Dock Garden Update
Photo Credit: WeBeSharin.Com
Yes, I know it’s the dead of winter. But several people have been asking for this post for months in order to see how the project finally came out. In all honesty, I have to say, not bad! oem office 2000 software OriginLab OriginPro 7.5 upgrade window 2000 to xp?
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Read more
Budget Home Design: The Luxury of an Outdoor Shower
Flickr Photo Credit: Jurvetson
We’ve started looking into this idea because we recently purchased a waterfront property and want to have a place for people to hose off after swimming and lounging on the grass. Read more
