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If you're like most people, you probably see dandelions as nothing more than pesky weeds that ruin your lawn. But did you know that these plants are actually packed with nutrients and have a long history of culinary and medicinal use? In this post, we'll share a delicious recipe for dandelion jelly and explore the benefits of consuming these sunny yellow flowers.
Dandelion Benefits
Dandelions are loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and potassium. They are also high in antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. In traditional medicine, dandelions have been used to treat a wide range of ailments, from liver and kidney problems to digestive issues and skin conditions.
Foraging for Dandelions
Dandelions are one of the easiest plants to forage for, as they can be found in abundance in just about any open field or lawn. They have a long history of use in both culinary and medicinal practices, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. In fact, dandelions were so valued for their medicinal properties that they were brought to North America by European settlers specifically for that purpose.
Dandelion Jelly Recipe
Now, let's get to the recipe! This dandelion jelly is a sweet and tangy treat, tastes like sunshine and sugar, that's perfect for spreading on toast or fresh biscuits.
What you'll need:
4 cups of dandelion flowers
4 cups of water
1 package of powdered pectin
1/4 cup of lemon juice
4 cups of sugar
You'll also need:
wide mouth quart mason jar (you can use a regular mouth but the wide is easier in my opinion) and lid (you can use a flat and ring, repurpose the top off a Classico spaghetti jar, or use these super handy plastic lids)
Jar lifter and Lid Lifter - Here's a good starter kit, if you need it.
Funnel
Ladle
Step 1:
Gather 4 cups of dandelions. We filled a quart size mason jar with flowers and it was perfect! Rinse the dandelion flowers thoroughly and remove the green parts. We found it easiest to lightly squeeze the green part while rolling it between the fingers and pulling the petals out with the other hand. (NOTE: save those green parts to make a tincture to help with inflammation, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure)
Step 2:
Put the petals back into your mason jar. Fill with boiling water, Allow to cool, cover, and place in fridge to steep for 24 hours. YAY! You've just made dandelion tea.
Step 3:
Strain your tea with a fine mesh strainer, discard the petals (add to your compost or toss back in your yard). Mix the dandelion tea, lemon juice, and pectin together in a pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
Step 4:
Add the sugar to the pot and continue to stir until it has dissolved. Let the mixture boil for an additional minute. Keep stirring! It gets really sticky.
NOTE: While you are working on these steps make sure to sterilize your jars, lids, and rings in boiling water.
Step 5:
Remove the pot from the heat and skim off any film that has formed on the surface. Ladle the jelly into sterilized jars, wipe the rim with a damp paper towel, place flat and add ring (finger tight only, you don't want to tighten it too much). Place in boiling water canner for 10 minutes.
Step 6:
Remove jars from canner and let set for 24 hours to cool, set, and seal. Look how pretty it is! Just like bottled sunshine.
This recipe is a great summer project to do with kids. They can help forage the yard for the dandelions. It's also a fun way to introduce them to the idea of using plants for food and medicine.
Thanks to @appalachian_forager on TikTok for the inspiration for this recipe. Please check out her page for tons of great videos on foraging.
We hope you enjoy making and eating this delicious and nutritious treat! Please leave a comment and let us know what you think of this recipe. Make sure to bookmark this page and follow us on Pinterest and Facebook for more recipes and tips.
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