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Dandelion Season

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T O P I C R E V I E W
Huckelberrywine	Posted - Apr 30 2009 : 2:56:45 PM Anyone thinking of eating their dandelions too? Actually, my organic lawn is seriously lacking in the dandelion department this year. I think picking the flowers for wine and digging the roots for coffee is finally taking a toll. Cause to celebrate, or pout? I look longingly at the neighbors' lawns and along the roadside, but I don't want to harvest ones with any chemical residue in/on them. So, the search is on to find a clean patch of dandelions. I know the peak of the blooming season is quick, and my dandelion wine is all gone! I had better find some soon before they all turn into wishes again. Got any dande-plans yourself? I'd love to try making the pasta. We make a difference. http://huckleberrywine.blogspot.com
24 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Huckelberrywine	Posted - Jun 04 2009 : 4:25:04 PM Yum! Congrats. Watch the plastic on the top though...it's just 1.50 for some bubblers that won't let the air back in and funky your flavor. I'd hate all your hard work to not turn out beautifully. I'm so glad you're going for it! We make a difference. http://huckleberrywine.blogspot.com
Alee	Posted - Jun 02 2009 : 9:17:33 PM Oh my gosh, Chris! That color is amazing! I love it! Alee Farmgirl Sister #8 www.awarmheart.com www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com
kpaints	Posted - May 24 2009 : 05:59:33 AM I read this too late, darn. I have seed heads all over the yard, no blooms. I would love to try the jam. Oh, well, next year, this year is a bit full, ha. Find your joy and live it. http://cheneybaglady.blogspot.com/http://www.kpaints.etsy.com http://www.thevintagebaglady.etsy.com FG #377
Annika	Posted - May 14 2009 : 9:56:33 PM The dandelions are the only spot of colour in the yard so far...I've mowed them several times, but the lil' devils keep coming back .....I'm thinking, since I don't want to buy chemicals for my yard that I should just give in and create the dandelion appreciation society! Annika Farmgirl & sister #13
katmom	Posted - May 14 2009 : 9:49:46 PM Cherry, I loved your "trip down memory lane" too funny! Hy Michelle,,, I have been watching the dandelions growing in my yard and thought I should give you a call but then I got to thinking..my tortise, Scooter like's 'em too so guess who gets the dandelions? Scooter! lol! hugz >^..^< Happiness is being a katmom. "I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!" www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
OregonGal	Posted - May 12 2009 : 8:04:28 PM Ok, I have started my wine......it's perking along well. A little overflow for a while, but it has settled down now. So, maybe tomorrow I will be picking some for jelly. I was surprised at how good the dandelions smelled after they were simmered in boiling water, and then even better with the lemon and orange zest added. But I kind of did my own recipe, using some of the guidelines from Huckleberrywine, and some other recipes. I also looked on line and found other information about making dandelion wine. I added a little honey to mine. We'll see how it turns out - Its very yeasty right now, but even so, it tastes very good. So with some aging added to it, I know its going to be good. I made two gallons. Everyone I've told I'm making dandelion wine has suggested I come to their house for the dandelions, LOL, and I tell them I'll be there when I'm done picking all of them in my yard. Needless to say, I won't be having to go to anyone elses yard, mine is full of those little yellow buggers! Making the wine was easy, picking and getting the dandelions ready, grrr, that's a different story. Here's a picture of my wine perking away....imagine that, its yellow!!
CherryMeDarlin	Posted - May 06 2009 : 12:01:01 PM My great aunt Eura used to make dandelion wine and I've always wanted to make it myself. When she and my uncle Dub were alive, the family'd go to their farm after decoration for a reunion of sorts. I have a cousin, Barry, who I'd run around with while we were there. One year, when we were around 11 or 12, we snuck into the cellar and "borrowed" a jar of dandelion wine. (Aunt Eura would pour hers up in mason jars.) We snuck out to the pasture so we could sample it without getting caught. We'd been gone for a couple of hours and had done quite a bit of sampling when my mama started calling for us. We ignored her at first, then Barry's mama started calling us. Well, Barry was a big mama's boy, in my opinion, and he insisted we go back before we got in trouble. We took off running towards the house and ran right smack dab into the electric fence! It zapped us and knocked us on our keisters but because of the wine, we thought it was hilarious! We probably wouldn't have aroused too much suspicion if we hadn't been laughing our heads off, but as it were we not only got in trouble for not coming when we were first called, we also got in trouble for the wine. Mama wanted to spank me, but Daddy said I'd just got knocked silly by an electric fence and just laughed at it, spanking me would have to wait until the wine wore off so it'd be truly effective! Anyone know how to make watermelon wine? ~~Cherry~~ "A thing is as simple or as complicated as you make it." --TT Murphy
Alee	Posted - May 06 2009 : 10:00:44 AM Darn Michelle- are you sure? I bet I have about 12 quarts out there if not more! My whole backyard is pretty much solid yellow! Alee Farmgirl Sister #8 www.awarmheart.com www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com
mulegirl	Posted - May 06 2009 : 07:12:19 AM We are finally getting our dandelions! I pick the yellow flowers and dip them in beat egg and seasoned breads crumbs, saute them and gobble them up. I also pick the greens, saute them with a little EVO oil onion and garlic and use them with all sorts of stuff like stuffing that mixture in homemade ravioli or this morning I mixed the sauted mix with left over chicken, terriaki sauce and made a pizza (I have a great flat bread reciept if anyone wants it). I've been putting dandelions in some form in everything we eat lately. They are so good for you, and free! smile, follow your heart and don't look back http://web.mac.com/rosemaryart
JojoNH	Posted - May 06 2009 : 03:57:34 AM Thank you for sharing the recipes. .. I am going to try the jelly, we love jelly and this one is right up my alley!! We have several different types of dandelions in our yard. We pick the leaves for our Girls. . . which is the best treat of all in their opinion I will need to wait a couple more weeks before we see any flowers forming. . . the leaves are just starting to mature at this point. Any other recipes?? Joanna #566 JojoNH PS: I love the tortoise story. . . lol..does not bark or chase cars! http://www.CountryCents.com http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
graciegreeneyes	Posted - May 05 2009 : 7:56:43 PM Michelle - I've got lots of dandelions - all organic:D Amy Grace Farmgirl #224 "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
Huckelberrywine	Posted - May 05 2009 : 4:00:37 PM Good question. I don't know how they'd turn out in recipes if dried. I tried freezing some and it wasn't pretty. Please don't send me dried dandelions! Lol. Matter of fact, some were hiding in my lawn after all. I'm in business. 3 qts. is a lot of petal-plucking though. Yikes, this is a lot of work for some wine. But it is so good! I never would have thought so, and laugh all you want, but it is really interesting with an unexpectedly good color and flavor. We make a difference. http://huckleberrywine.blogspot.com
Alee	Posted - May 04 2009 : 8:01:53 PM Can they be dried dandelion flowers? If so- I will pick all mine and send them to you! Alee Farmgirl Sister #8 www.awarmheart.com www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com
NikkiBeaumont	Posted - May 04 2009 : 2:51:05 PM Grace, cute about walking your tortoise! I bet that's not much of an aerobic workout. HA! Rene, I am also getting a kick out of Michelle's coveting of the neighbor's dandelions! Thanks y'all for sharing recipes for what Jodi has dubbed "dandelion goodness"! Farmgirl Sister #554
katmom	Posted - May 03 2009 : 6:44:54 PM ok, don't laugh,,,I loved having Dandelions in my lawn(backyard) which we did not use chemical sprays on...why??? cuz our tortise had full run of the yard and Dandelions are his favorite treat. Now that I live up here in WA., I have to take him across the road to my neighbors & let him munch on theirs...they think it is a hoot that I take my tortise for a walk. Hey at least he doesn't bark or chase cars! lol! >^..^< Happiness is being a katmom. "I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!" www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
Mikki	Posted - May 02 2009 : 9:22:20 PM I still have jelly from last year, one batch never set up so I just use it for syrup, very goooood. ~~Blessings, Mikki Jo "Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyway" ***John Wayne http://main.acsevents.org/goto/iloveyoumom http://burningmeadowsprings.blogspot.com/
Sitnalta	Posted - May 01 2009 : 8:41:33 PM hehe..the back yard is smack full of dandelions. You no sooner pick one one day and theres 20 more where that last one was the next. sheesh!! The kids picked them for me all the time. I never make anything fancy like wine though, I just put them in a vase so the kids can admire their jobs well done of bringing me the beautiful yellow bouquets :D hugs Jessie Farmgirl Sister #235 "You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all. Seeking You as a precious jewel; Lord, to give up I'd be a fool. You are my all in all." Stop by my blog for a visit www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com
OregonGal	Posted - May 01 2009 : 8:01:41 PM Oh gosh, now I'm going to have to try the jelly, too. I don't have any problems finding dandelions around here. I'm thinking, a jelly on crackers with a small glass of wine, hmmm, don't know about that one. I did try corncob jelly one time but it did not jell, have to give that one a try again. Thanks so much for the ricipes, ladies, I'm going to try them!
sherone_13	Posted - May 01 2009 : 6:52:46 PM Dandelion Jelly I got this recipe from Recipezaar. I tried it last year and it turned out great. This ljelly does not store well for longer than about 6 months. If you want to add more color, add a couple drops of yellow. Ingredients 1 quart of tightly packed fresh organic bright dandelion flowers (try to use only yellow petals discarding the green which I just pinch off) 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 lemon, zest of, thinly chopped 5 1/2 cups sugar 1 (1 3/4 ounce) package dry pectin Directions 1Using stainless steel pan, boil the flowers in 2 quarts of spring water for 10 minutes, cool, and strain, pressing the liquid out of the flowers gently, then restrain through a coffee filter. 2Measure 3 cups of the liquid, add the lemon juice, zest and pectin. 3Put into a deep jelly kettle and bring to a rolling boil, then add sugar and stir to mix well. 4Stir and boil hard for 1 1/2 minutes, or until mixture sheets from a wooden spoon, skim, pour into hot clean half pint jelly jars and seal. Sherone http://tinytaylorranch.blujay.com http://tinytaylorranch.ecrater.com/ http://taylorscountrystore.blogspot.com/
Huckelberrywine	Posted - May 01 2009 : 3:06:04 PM Midday Dandelion Wine 2 quarts dandelion flowers, yellow only...no green 3 lbs. granulated sugar 4 navel oranges 1 gallon water 1 packet Champagne yeast Yeast nutrient (1 tsp. per gallon) Dandelion wine with raisins 3 qts. dandelion flowers, yellow only, no green 1 lb. golden raisins 1 gal. water 3 lbs. granulated sugar 1 gal. water 2 lemons 1 navel orange 1 packtet Champagne yeast yeast nutrient (1 tsp. per gallon) You will need to either go to a specialty wine-supply shop or on-line store to get the champagne yeast and yeast nutrient. Check out Jack Keller's website (winemaking.jackkeller.net) for the basics of making wine if you are unfamiliar. It is really simple, so I'll just note some basics here to reassure you. Pluck flower petals and set aside. Boil water, add sugar and stir to dissolve. (At this point you will need a food-grade plastic bucket with a lid to fit that is at least 2 gallons to allow for the foaming action of the mix as it ferments). Add all ingredients except the yeast and yeast nutrient into the plastic bucket at this stage (juice of citrus only, I think, but double check, maybe include the whole thing chopped up). Cover loosely with the lid or a dish towel (Don't seal air tight!) Stir twice in the first 24 hours. From here on, don't let metal touch your wine. Wood, plastic, or glass only. Metal will react with the yeast/alcohol and could ruin the batch. The next day, when the mixture has cooled to at least 70 degrees, add the yeast and yeast nutrient. Stir twice a day for around a week. (Double check the website for how long to wait before you separate the liquids from the solids. I'm guessing around a week or a month.) Once you get to the stage of dealing only with the liquid, syphon into a sterile glass container with a bubbler fit to the top once a month. Could be ready in 3 months, better at 6, but peaks after that and won't be as good at all if it sits around for a year. Best of luck! We make a difference. http://huckleberrywine.blogspot.com
Prairie Princess	Posted - May 01 2009 : 11:23:01 AM I've always known they're edible, but never tried anything past nibbling on a leaf or two -- BITTER! So maybe y'all should share some 'dandelion goodness' recipes...cuz I'm curious about your attraction to them. ;) ~Jodi "Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt www.jodielyzabeth.blogspot.com
sherone_13	Posted - May 01 2009 : 11:07:46 AM I will be making jelly again this year. The hard part is getting the teenagers to focus long enough to help pick the little buggers. Yum Yum. Tastes like honey. Sherone http://tinytaylorranch.blujay.com http://tinytaylorranch.ecrater.com/ http://taylorscountrystore.blogspot.com/
Farmers Daughter	Posted - May 01 2009 : 05:42:43 AM I would let you have all the dandelions you want from my yard. We don't spray and well needless to say it's loaded. Drives me nuts every spring. You cut grass and the next morning they have all popped up again. Just waiting for warmer weather so they go away till next spring.
ruralfarmgirl	Posted - Apr 30 2009 : 3:46:37 PM Only farmgirls. I think it is safe to assume that no other forum can you go onto and have someone admit that they are coventing the neighbor's dandelions ...... We actually have a nice little crop in the back but it is all that soil that we hauled in to fill up the pool last year, so I am a little timid to try them... maybe next season.. Although I did tell DH that a trip to the cabin was in order as I KNOW there are some there... Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185 http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/http://renenaturallyspeaking.blogspot.com/ Circumstances made us FRIENDS; MaryJane's has made us SISTERS :)

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