Foraging feast: Save money with may's hidden meadow gems
In May, you can significantly reduce your food expenses by foraging for sorrel, nettles, and dandelion flowers in the meadow. You can use these ingredients to make soup, pesto for pasta, salads, or even delicious fritters for dinner.
Many people are hesitant to pick dandelions, fearing they might confuse them with inedible sow-thistles. However, it's quite easy to tell these two plants apart. Dandelion flowers grow on a single unbranched stem, and their leaves are sharply pointed, unlike the rounded tips of sow-thistle leaves. Dandelion flowers can be transformed into honey or jam for tea, and the leaves make a great addition to pesto or spring salads.
Nutritional value of dandelions
Dandelion flowers and leaves are packed with vitamins such as C, A, and B, along with minerals like silicon, potassium, and magnesium. These nutrients help boost the immune system, improve digestion, and support the nervous system's function.
For years, dandelions have been utilized in natural medicine as a remedy with anti-inflammatory properties and liver regeneration support. They stimulate bile production, aiding in the digestion of fatty foods. Additionally, they have a diuretic effect, promoting kidney and urinary system health, and assisting in anemia treatment.
Recipe for dandelion fritters
You can sprinkle these fritters with powdered sugar or serve them with fruits, cream, or yogurt.
Ingredients:
- 10 dandelion flowers
- 1 egg
- 0.5 cup of flour
- 1 cup of buttermilk
- 1 pack of vanilla sugar
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Cut the dandelion flowers from their stems, rinse under running water, and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Mix all the ingredients for the sweet pancake batter using a mixer.
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Dip the flowers in the batter and fry until golden brown on both sides.
