Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale — Asteraceae

Italiano: Tarassaco — Pissacane

Description

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) belongs to the Asteraceae family and is native to Europe. It thrives in Pastures, Roadsides, Gardens, Uncultivated fields environments across regions including Italy, France, Spain, Germany, UK, USA. Botanically, Dandelion is rich vitamins A C K calcium. Young leaves salad. Flowers fritters. Roasted root coffee.. It is also known locally as Pissacane. The edible parts include Leaves, Flowers, Roots. With an edibility rating of 8/10, it ranks as an excellent wild food source. Harvesting is best done during April, August, July, June, March, May, October and September. Nutritionally, Dandelion stands out for its Vitamin K (778.0mg, 648% DV), Vitamin A (508.0mg, 56% DV) and Vitamin C (35.0mg, 39% DV). It also provides 2.7g protein and 3.5g dietary fiber per 100g serving. In the kitchen, Dandelion offers a Bitter refreshing flavor profile. Raw young boiled flowers fried roots roasted wine infusion. Common culinary applications include salad, flower fritters, root tea, wine. Popular preparations include Dandelion salad, Dandelion wine, Dandelion root coffee, Sauteed greens with garlic. For storage, dried roots 12mo. Safety note: No toxicity. Antinutrient content is light oxalates tannins roots. Safe lookalike species include Wild chicory Crepis. Always verify identification with at least three independent botanical sources before consumption.

🌿 Foraging Tips

Where to find: Grows in Pastures, Roadsides, Gardens, Uncultivated fields across Italy, France, Spain, Germany, UK, USA, Canada, Australia.

🍳 Recipe: Dandelion salad

Preparation method: Raw young boiled flowers fried roots roasted wine infusion
Flavor profile: Bitter refreshing
Edible parts: Leaves, Flowers, Roots

This is one of the traditional ways to prepare this wild edible plant. Always ensure proper plant identification before cooking.

When to harvest: Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
Lookalike (safe): Wild chicory Crepis
⚠️ Lookalike (toxic): No poisonous similar
Tip: Always verify identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. When in doubt, do not eat it.

Edibility

8/10
Toxicity: No toxicity
Antinutrients: Light oxalates tannins roots
Safe lookalikes: Wild chicory Crepis
Dangerous: No poisonous similar

Harvest Calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Edible parts: Leaves, Flowers, Roots
Preparation: Raw young boiled flowers fried roots roasted wine infusion
Flavor: Bitter refreshing

Nutrition (per 100g)

Protein: 2.7g
Fat: 0.7g
Fiber: 3.5g
Vitamin C: 35.0mg (38%DV)
Vitamin A: 508mcg (56%DV)
Vitamin E: 3.4mg (22%DV)
Vitamin K: 778mcg (648%DV)
Folate (B9): 27mcg (6%DV)
Calcium: 187.0mg (14%DV)
Iron: 3.1mg (17%DV)
Magnesium: 36mg (8%DV)
Potassium: 397mg (8%DV)
Zinc: 0.4mg (3%DV)

Culinary Uses: salad, flower fritters, root tea, wine Storage: Dried roots 12mo

Recipes

  • Dandelion salad
  • Dandelion wine
  • Dandelion root coffee
  • Sauteed greens with garlic
  • Wild green pesto
  • Leafy green soup
  • Wild winter pesto made from Dandelion
  • Traditional Dandelion soup

Where It Grows

Continent: Europe
Regions: Italy, France, Spain, Germany, UK, USA, Canada, Australia
Habitat: Pastures, Roadsides, Gardens, Uncultivated fields
⚠️
Important: Always verify plant identification before consumption. This content is for informational purposes only. Consult reliable sources and experts before eating any wild plant. Improper identification can be dangerous.

Sources & References