Foods of England - Dandelions

Dandelions

Fruit and Vegetables

The leaves of the common dandelion are used raw in salads. Acton 1845 says that “The slight bitterness of its flavour is to many persons very agreeable; and it is often served at well-appointed tables.”

Dandelions
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Original Receipt in Evelyn 1699;

22. Dandelion, Dens Leonis, Condrilla: Macerated in several Waters, to extract the bitterness; tho’ somewhat opening, is very wholsome, and little inferior to succory, Endive, &c.; The French Country-People eat the Roots; and ’twas with this homely sallet, the Good-Wife Hecate entertain’d Theseus.

Original Receipt from ‘Modern Cookery for Private Families‘ by Eliza Acton (Acton 1845);

TO DRESS DANDELIONS LIKE SPINACH, OR AS A SALAD.
(Very wholesome.)
This common weed of the fields and highways is an excellent vegetable, the young leaves forming an admirable adjunct to a salad, and much resembling endive when boiled and prepared in the same way, or in any of the modes directed for spinach. The slight bitterness of its flavour is to many persons very agreeable; and it is often served at well-appointed tables. It has also, we believe, the advantage of possessing valuable medicinal qualities. Take the roots before the blossom is at all advanced, if they can readily be found in that state; if not, pluck off and use the young leaves only. Wash them as clean as possible, and boil them tender in a large quantity of water salted as for sprouts or spinach. Drain them well, press them dry with a wooden spoon, and serve them quite plain with melted butter in a tureen; or, squeeze, chop, and heat them afresh, with a seasoning of salt and pepper, a morsel of butter rolled in flour, and a spoonful or two of gravy or cream. A very large portion of the leaves will be required for a dish, as they shrink exceedingly in the cooking. For a salad, take them very young and serve them entire, or break them quite small with the fingers; then wash and drain them. Dress them with oil and vinegar, or with any other sauce which may be preferred with them

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