Dandelion greens
can be juiced for nutritional use.
Dandelions are perhaps more often thought of as a weed than as a desirable edible plant. Dandelion greens---the leafy parts that grow near the ground---are quite nutritious and can be used to make salads, soups and teas. Juicing them to add to your favorite homemade drinks is a great way to get a boost of vitamins A and K. Dandelions carry more of those vitamins than even broccoli. If your yard is cared for organically, you may even be able to juice the dandelions which grow there. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Pick some young, fresh-looking leaves from any dandelions you may have in your yard---but only if you do not chemically treat or fertilize your yard. Select plants that have not yet flowered, if you can. Look for dandelion greens at a natural market, farmers market or your grocer if you do not have access to healthy wild dandelions. Select at least one large handful of greens; more if you plan to juice with them more than once.
2. Rinse off the dandelion greens. Discard any that seem wilted or not fresh. Pat them dry with paper towels.
3. Place a cup or container near the spout of your juicer, if it is the type that requires a separate cup. Run the greens through your juicer as indicated in your juicer's instruction manual. Dandelion leaves are juiced as any other leaf, such as kale. Juice only enough for quarter cup of juice if you are planning to make one cup of finished juice.
4. Juice a few fresh, clean apples, carrots, celery stalks or any other fruits or vegetables you'd like to add to your juice blend. Allow these remaining fruits and vegetables to comprise three-quarters of your juice blend, since dandelion green juice is very potent and bitter.
5. Drink and enjoy the juice.
Tags: your juicer, dandelion greens, fruits vegetables, juice blend, juice Juice