Butter-Fried Dandelion Blossoms With Garlic And Parmesan

It’s easy to overlook dandelions when thinking of what to forage. They are incredibly bitter raw, almost impatable. But I really urge you to try this simple dish! When cooked, dandelion blossoms become soft and take on the consistency of artichoke. Throw in the flavor of garlic, butter, and Parmesan, and you have a well-rounded and exciting side dish or the perfect topping for a slice of buttered sourdough toast. 

I’m careful to pick only the youngest, freshest blossoms and give them a good look before I put them in my basket. I’ve yet to see any ‘visitors’ on the flowers that I’ve picked, but if you’re worried, you can dunk them in salted water for a few minutes before rinsing them off and patting them dry with paper towels. If you’ve got plenty of dandelions you might also enjoy these Sourdough Dandelion Flower Fritters!

Ingredients

This recipe makes 2 servings

3 tbsps Butter – You can use olive oil or coconut oil if you prefer, or a mixture of butter and oil. I’m generous with the butter…

2 -3 Cloves of garlic

2 Handfuls of dandelion blossoms – stalks removed.

A small chunk of parmesan

1/4 teaspoon sea salt or to taste.

Method

1. Peel and crush the garlic cloves or finely chop them.
   Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter gently over medium heat and add the garlic. Sautee until softened and turning golden in color.
2. Add the remaining butter, dandelion blossoms, and salt. Stir gently until the butter has melted and the blossoms have wilted.
3. Roughly grate the parmesan and mix through

Serve hot, directly from the pan, topped with some parmesan shavings and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes.

Serving suggestions

Serve simply on sourdough toast or a slice of sourdough fried in olive oil. An extra sprinkle of salt works magic!

They also taste great mixed into a creamy pasta and bacon sauce or tossed through a warm salad.

Two of my kids loved these, and two did not! My husband and I really enjoyed them and will definitely be making this again! Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Don’t forget to check out my other spring foraging recipes and tips!