Edible Weeds
If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em! Just make sure the weeds haven't had any herbicides applied
in the last 60 days or so.
The following chart is a list of common lawn weeds that can, in part, be eaten.
Weed Name |
Edible Part |
Preparation |
| Burdock |
root |
pickled, boiled in soups and stews |
| Chickweed |
leaves |
chopped in salads |
| Cresses |
leaves |
young in salad; cooked in soup |
| Dandelion |
leaves, flowers |
young leaves in salads, steamed, wilted, or cooked in dandelion gravy (served over mashed
potatoes); young flowers in wine; dipped in egg then cornmeal and fried |
| Lambsquarters |
leaves, shoots |
young in salad; cook and use like spinach |
| Plantain |
leaves |
blanch and saute in butter and garlic |
| Purslane |
leaves, stems |
very young leaves chopped in salads, salty garnish; blanch and saute with olive oil,
garlic, and chile |
| Red clover |
flowers |
chopped in salads, steeped in tea, cooked in soup |
| Shepherd's purse |
leaves |
blanch and saute with olive oil, garlic, and chile |
| Violet |
leaves, flowers |
young leaves in salad, add to marinara sauce; flowers in fruit salad, syrup, sorbet,
candied |
Source: Better Homes & Gardens Step-by-Step Yard Care, p.29
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