| Author |
Farm Kitchen:  Dandelion Jelly?  |
|
brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 06:58:34 AM
|
My yard is covered with bright yellow flowers today. I've heard of people making dandelion wine, but we probably wouldn't drink it...I was wondering about dandelion jelly. I googled and found a couple of different recipes online - has anyone ever made this before? If so, is it worth the time and trouble? It sounds pretty labor-intensive.
I also found a couple of places selling 4 and 5 oz jars of processed jelly at prices ranging from $6 to $8 - Was dandelion jelly popular at one time? (I think of elderberry jam-- people who like it REALLY like it...) Has anyone ever tried to sell dandelion jelly at a farmer's market? What were the results?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
|
|
therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 07:39:47 AM
|
We have tons of them right now too...do every year. I will have to try it too. Making a silk purse out of a sow's ear right? I love how they look when they are yellow and pretty ..and then a week later HATE how they look with the ugly stems sticking up and bare. I mow alot more during dandelion season. I love to see the bright green yards with yellow dots all over them right now though. Mine included!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
 |
|
|
Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 08:37:44 AM
|
| Personally, I like dandelions on my lawn and they don't bother me in any of their phases. I only dislike them in my garden bed. I may have to try making that jelly, since they are my biggest crop. In the meantime, mine are not flowering yet, so I should have time to pick and cook the leaves this weekend. Anyone do this? I've heard about it, but never tried it. |
|
|
|
sonflowergurl
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Katee
Tampa 'Burbs
FL
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 1:23:51 PM
|
Mmmm!!! I'd love to try some dandelion jelly. If you make it, I'll definitely consider buying some!
I miss dandelions, I don't think we have them here! I never see them anywhere down here.
Amie, we used to eat dandelion greens all of the time (along with "lambsquarters", I think?). They are a bit more bitter than spinach or kale, more along the lines of turnip greens I think.
Katee
The end will justify the pain it took to get us here.
"Looking Toward the Son"---- http://sonflowergirl731.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
CityCat
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Catherine
Toronto
Ontario
Canada
198 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 3:41:42 PM
|
| Um, what does dandelion jelly taste like? And do you eat it on toast or what? Very curious though. When the dandelions start a-blooming here, I may have to give that recipe a whirl, thanks Kay! -Cat |
|
|
|
DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 5:00:03 PM
|
I'm intrigued too...and have the same questions as Catherine. I have lots blooming at the moment and would love to give this a try.
http://www.daisyfarm.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
|
|
junebug
True Blue Farmgirl
2421 Posts
Sue
West Plains,
Mo.
USA
2421 Posts |
|
|
brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2006 : 6:03:34 PM
|
ARRRRGH!!!! Yesterday it rained in the a.m. and all the blossoms were closed, I had an event in the afternoon, and didn't get home until late-- then today after church my daughter and I had a baby shower to go to. When I got home, DH had sprayed our yard with 2-4,D or something poisonous... No jelly from THOSE dandelions now...
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
|
|
|
sonflowergurl
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Katee
Tampa 'Burbs
FL
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2006 : 8:44:29 PM
|
Bummer Brenda! Did you give hubby a hard time for poisoning your jelly plans?!? (I know mine would look at me like I was crazy, if it were us! LOL)
Katee
The end will justify the pain it took to get us here.
"Looking Toward the Son"---- http://sonflowergirl731.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2006 : 07:02:01 AM
|
I got to try dandelion jelly at a meeting over the weekend. It was at a friend's house, and his mom had made the jelly. We spread it on English muffins, and it was very, very sweet. Kind of like honey with a touch of lemon taste. I thought it was too sweet. I wonder if adding more lemon juice would help? I don't think you can eliminate sugar...isn't it part of the jelly-fication process?
I did cook some dandelion greens on Sunday afternoon. I thought they were quite a bit more bitter than turnip greens, but not too bitter to eat. |
|
|
|
brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2006 : 05:02:51 AM
|
I'm going across the street to the reservoir and pick some dandelions there. I don't think they have sprayed there yet, they haven't even mowed. So maybe I'll still get some jelly.
I want to try it also. I don't think you can eliminate sugar, jelly is basically flavored sugar with some pectin. If you are making jam and including the fiber from berries or whatever you can maybe get by with less sugar, but with a dandelion infusion there's nothing there to provide body. I was thinking of maybe using Splenda for half the sugar, to cut down on the calories and let the diabetics in my family share it.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
|
|
|
KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2007 : 09:17:33 AM
|
Well, I've been reading about dandelion jelly since last year.
Finally decided to try it.
I picked a potful of dandelion heads and rinsed them, cut the green off and boiled the blossoms.
Strained and added pectin, sugar and lemon juice, boiled again.
and put into sterilized jelly jars, and processed them in a hot water bath for 5 minutes.
I just heard the lids pop, so they should be sealed!
I can't wait for them to cool so we can try one!
It's a pretty honey color!
I'm so glad I don't allow anything applied to the lawn.
I have a big enough crop of dandelions, that I could probably supply the neighborhood for the winter!
I may make another batch for gifts tomorrow.
KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
|
|
|
Mikki
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Mikki
Austin
Indiana
USA
1510 Posts |
|
|
Mikki
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Mikki
Austin
Indiana
USA
1510 Posts |
|
|
Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
|
|
KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2007 : 12:08:16 PM
|
Well, it looks like it didn't set up.
I guess will have to use it like syrup and have pancakes or waffles!
I'll try another batch maybe tomorrow...
KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
|
|
|
Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
|
|
Soulful Shepherdess
Farmgirl at Heart
4 Posts
Shannon
Rural
New York
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2007 : 11:06:22 AM
|
Hi everybody! I just bottled a second batch of Dandelion Wine (or maybe it'll evolve into Dandelion Vinegar--I can use either, I guess ;-) and my Dandelion Jelly jars are in the 24 hour cooling period...I've heard 3 pops, so I am hopeful... This is my first attempt at canning anything--eek!
Mikki Jo's got me wondering if mine will set up... Mikki Jo--How long did you wait to decide it wasn't setting? What recipe did you try? I tried this one...
http://www.mountain-breeze.com/kitchen/dandelions/2.html
I did half the amount of blossoms (by doubling the rest of the recipe) due to pungency. I just wasn't thrilled with the smell and that's a key to me with foods. The wine smelled wonderful, like a mild mulled cider. This was more "grassy" until I changed the infusion's potency. Hope it works!
Have a great day!
Shannon
Come visit my young blog to learn more about what I do:
http://99-acres-of-rock.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Mikki
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Mikki
Austin
Indiana
USA
1510 Posts |
|
|
KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2007 : 5:22:01 PM
|
Wow, mine actually setup, it's a little softer than I expected, but it sure tastes great.
I'll try it again!
KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
|
|
|
Mikki
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Mikki
Austin
Indiana
USA
1510 Posts |
|
|
Daisy
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Daisy
Thistle Sprig Farm
NW Indiana
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2007 : 02:27:34 AM
|
| Mikki, I made your recipe that you posted somewhere several weeks back and mine set but it wasn't super firm. But personally I like that because it spreads easier. I was considering next batch adding a bit more pectin just to see what would happen. However i may have missed my opportunity as I'm seeing fewer and fewer dandelions! |
|
|
|
Mikki
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Mikki
Austin
Indiana
USA
1510 Posts |
|
|
KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2007 : 4:34:44 PM
|
Mikki, the one I used was this...
Dandelion Jelly
2 cups dandelion blossoms
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 Tbsp powdered pectin
1 Tbsp lemon juice
Place clean, dry blossoms in large pan with water. Boil for 3 minutes. Strain mixture and add pectin and lemon juice to liquid. Boil once more for 3 minutes, adding sugar and stirring constantly. Pour into hot sterilized jars and seal with paraffin. Or seal with lids and screw bands and process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes.
from this site http://indianspringherbs.com/dandelion2.htm
KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
|
|
|
Farm Kitchen: Dandelion Jelly? |
|
Dandelion Jelly?
