Dandelion Greens

[PoysPoppa]

Where the heck do I find these? I went to two different supermarkets and couldn't find any.

I wanted to throw some into the food processor along with the broccoli, kale, and habenero peepers for Poy's lunch, but couldn't find any.

I tasted the mix and the habanero peppers made everything spicy. Does anyone know if the spiciness will make the mix stay fresh for longer? I heard that any spicy peppers can be fed to parrots, I didn't make a mistake by feeding them to him did I?

[chapala]

Spicy chili peppers are fine, and the colored ones (mature) have more beta-carotenes than the unripe (green) ones. Some organic food suppliers or farmers markets carry dandelion greens. I grow some in my vegetable garden and try to keep them from seeding into the lawn!
Reta

[lily]

I get dandelion greens from an unsprayed lawn. In fact, the bird and I have been going for walks to forage dandelion greens and blossoms, chickweed, grasses in seed, and wild strawberries. However, our local Meijer store often had dandelion greens.

[PoysPoppa]

so if i see some dandelions growing in a field i just pick the leaves off? Hmm, i didnt know it was that simple.

[lily]

Sure! Just be certain that they have not been sprayed! The ones in the store have bigger leaves and are milder tasting, so, if you are putting them in a green drink, you may want to start with a small quantity. Usually, they are collected in early spring before thay get bitter. However, you can use the smallest leaves for a milder taste-- my grandma ate them all summer. Your bird might like the stronger tasting leaves, anyway.

[chapala]

The flowers are edible too, and even if your birds don't eat them, they make fine shredding toys. If you're wild gathering, just be sure you know exactly which plant you're picking so a toxic plant is not accidentally added in. Fortunately Dendelion is pretty distinctive, so easy to identify, and yes, the young leaves are the best.
Reta