Dandelion Foraging

Spring is here and that means an onslaught of dandelions! They are just starting to bloom so I was eager to try making dandelion fritters.

Some rules of foraging

• Never trespass someone else's property. Do not harvest anything without the owners permission
• Make sure the area has not been sprayed with pesticides etc
• Positive identification is extremely important. Be sure to identify not only the flowers but the leaves - the whole plant before consuming. When in doubt, avoid.

 Dandelions, to me are quite distinctive, both by their characteristic jagged leaves (low growing, do not confuse with thistles with similar jagged leaves but grow 1-3 ft tall). They produce bright yellow flowers about 1/2-1 in across.

At the end of the season, they produce puff balls of seeds about 3" in diameter.

Again, do not confuse these with thistle seed balls that are larger - usually about 5" in diameter.

The flowers, leaves and roots of the dandelion are edible and are chock full of nutrients. The leaves are normally harvested in early spring, before they flower, but are edible throughout the season. They will, however, become more bitter as the plant gets older. 

The roots can be roasted to make a coffee substitute and the flowers are commonly used to make wine and jellies but I decided to start with fritters!

Leap Year Deals Feb 29

In celebration of the Leap Year, these stores are offering the respective offers:


Free $10 gift card at Tanger shopping malls. Sign-up for Tanger mobile text deals by 2/29 and receive a FREE $10 Tanger gift card offer. Simply text 'TANGER' to 74700 to receive the $10 gift card offer, redeemable at Tanger Shopper Services on Leap Day, February 29 only.

Free four-counts of Chick-n Minis at Chic-Fil-A. No coupon or purchase necessary. Offer from 6:30am - 10:30am.

Free cookie at Subway

BOGO free coffee at Caribou Coffee

BOGO free lunch bagel at Einstein Bros via Facebook

Buca di beppo has a meal deal for 4 for $29 with coupon

Denny's is offering 29% off with coupon (valid until 3/3/12)

Free pretzel at Auntie Anne's on 3/3/12

On Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Auntie Anne’s is offering every guest who visits their counters a free Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel – no strings attached!

Free Peppercorn Shrimp at Panda Express on 2/22/12

Panda Express is offering a free serving of Peppercorn Shrimp on 2/22/12 with coupon. No purchase necessary.