Weeds for dinner: Vegan man finds solution to weed problem by eating them

[jakeXT]

Allan Whyke does not mind weeds popping up in his garden. After seven years as a vegan, he now finds and eats the plants other people may consider pests.

Mr Whyke is also teaching others how to source and identify different varieties of weeds to use in cooking and said the taste may be surprising.

"Because they are not commercial plants they tend to have flavours and textures that are somewhat different to the sorts of things that you find in the shops," Mr Whyke told 936 ABC Hobart.

"People who do like a little variety in their diet find them very interesting, but it’s a matter of personal taste."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-03/vegan-man-finds-solution-to-weed-problem-by-eating-them/5787846

[Warpy]

1. I was never much of a fan of fiddleheads

but new dandelion shoots added a peppery bit of interest to an otherwise boring tossed salad. You do need good eyesight to spot them, the mature leaves are pretty nasty.

Dandelion roots are high enough in starch to be made into wine.

I've always thought the lawns with scattered dandelion and clover were cheery.

[jakeXT]

2. My lawn currently consist mostly out of mole-hills.

Maybe I'll try the young dandelion shoots next year.

[elleng]

3. I've got a lot of mole hills too, jake.

Do have to watch where I step.

[japple]

4. I have crabgrass, johnson grass, chickweed, violets, creeping charlie, and several

other varieties of weeds that I haven't a name for. I have a bad case of purslane in my garden, which someone told me was great to eat, but I sauteed a bit in olive oil and it was awful.

[surrealAmerican]

5. Purslane is supposed to be really nutritious.

I've only had it raw.

[japple]

6. I know it is supposed to be, but I couldn't get beyond the taste. What

did you think of the raw stuff? I heard it is "peppery." How did you serve it?

[surrealAmerican]

7. I can't quite remember.

I don't think it was particularly objectionable. It was in a salad with other greens.

[Snarkoleptic]

8. Great Depression Cooking - Dandelion Salad

&list=UURKls2LLMqU-uK2csT6FOKw

[Galileo126]

9. My grandfather picked dandelions

every time my mom made a salad with dinner. I like 'em! They add a nice peppery bite which contrasts a boring iceberg lettuce salad.

I would do this today, but the gardening crew lays down too much chemical crap on my lawn.

[blackcrowflies]

12. why do you let the gardening crew do that?

No chemical crap allowed on my lawn, and so I have clover, violets, dandelions, all lovely and some little-bunny-attractants.

[Galileo126]

13. I don't have a choice

I rent, not own...and the HOA for my townhouse dictates the rules.

It so sucks....

[jakeXT]

10. That's a lot of cleaning /nt

[pinto]

11. I really like dandelion in a salad or with scrambled eggs. (aside) Asparagus naturalizes.

If you have a low edge / gulley type strip on the side of your lawn - lay out asparagus. Dependably easy to grow with little upkeep.