Saturday, May 9, 2009

Dandelion time!


Dandelions are in full bloom right now. With all of the rain they are just lush and happy! We made a wonderful batch of dandelion honey last week by plucking the petals and just stirring the right in. It makes these lovely little glowing slivers of gold all through the honey. So pretty on fresh bread. We also made a huge batch of dandelion syrup. I tried a new method I read about , and instead of painstakingly picking off the petals and discarding all of the green, I made it with the whole flower. I was afraid it would be bitter... but it wasn't at all! It is so incredibly delicious and thick and pretty. Sure beats buying maple syrup at 40 bucks a litre. Hubby just went out to mow the lawn and I ran out yelling with a pot in my hand... to save the dandelions. Surely I am living up to the crazy neighbour lady notorious reputation. Ready to put another couple of litres of syrup by anyhow!

3 comments:

moominmamma said...

Care to post the syrup method / recipe? I'm all ears! Our first dandelions have begun to spring up.

villagemama said...

Sure! This is my lazy method! I fill up the largest cooking pot I have with dandelion heads and fill the pot about 3/4 full with water. I bring it to a boil and let it simmer for a bit, then I pop a lid on it and put it aside overnight. In the morning I strain and press the juices out of the spent heads. I bring the strong tea to a boil and eye out about an equal amount of honey. I simmered this on the stove until it became syrupy enough for my tastes! Then I pour it into a mason jar and pop it into the fridge. I did the same this year to make violet syrup. I am thinking that maybe I could do the same with other things as well.... rose petals? hmmm...

moominmamma said...

Thanks a bunch! Going to give this a whirl...