Years past dandelions were just considered a weed in your well-manicured landscape or a convenient amusement for a child as they blew the seeds from the stem into the morning breeze.
Dandelions are actually a very healthy “weed” that is full of vitamins and minerals such as A, B, C, D, iron, potassium, and zinc. Many civilizations use parts of the dandelion for medicinal purposes: the Native Americans add them to boiling water to help with kidney disease, swelling, heartburn, and upset stomach; the Chinese utilize them for stomach-related ailments and appendicitis; and the Europeans use them for treating fever, eye problems, diarrhea and diabetes.
Now please keep in mind that there have not been any in-depth studies done on dandelions so I am in no way suggesting that you utilize this plant for medicinal purposes. But as you can see, there are many reasons as to why dandelions are healthy, and you thought that they were just weeds. Now let’s make something very sweet and pretty out of these wonderful herbs.
Dandelion Jelly
Ingredients
- 1 – Quart of lightly packed Dandelion Flowers. Only use the yellow portion; try not to get any of the bitter greens of the stem into the pot.
- 2 – Quarts of Water
- 2 – Tablespoons of Lemon Juice
- Zest of one Lemon
- 1 – Package of Pectin to 3 cups of yellow liquid
- 5 – Cups of Sugar
Instructions
- Boil the flowers in the water for about 10 minutes.
- Cool and strain the liquid.
- Add the 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, the zest of one lemon and the 1 package of pectin to 3 cups of yellow liquid.
- Bring to a rolling boil.
- Add the 5 cups of sugar.
- Mix well and return to a boil.
- Pour into hot, sanitized pint jars and seal.
- Allow cooling before storing.
- *Always follow safe canning instructions, refer to your canning manufacture’s operating procedures*
Until Next Time,
Interested in getting the Kindle version: Poverty Jelly: Delicious jellies for the Ho
Interested in getting the Paper Back version: Poverty Jelly: Delicious jellies for the Home, from the Home (Volume 1)
I have this book. Not only was it an interesting and educational read, I’m excited to try some of those recipes soon. Corn cob jelly was my first experiment…now on to dandelions!
Thank you very much, that is very kind of you! Dandelion was actually my favorite!
Oh I so want to make that jelly esp since we finally have the flowers finally growing here now! Thanks!
It is one of my favorites!! Thanks!
I have eaten watermelon rine and purple hull pea jelly. After that I am convinced if you use enough sugar you can make a tasty jelly out of almost any plant😃
True but they are still so much healthier for you the store bought.
I try to use a lot of the “freebies” found in nature… and I have used dandelions, but I didn’t even think about making jelly with them. Such a good idea… and it looks different from most other jellies. Interesting. 🙂 Thank you.
Thank you so much, nature itself is a miracle! there are so many good things for you out there and people do not even realize it.
Thank you! I think we will do this (soon) to make for Christmas presents. What a unique idea.
It makes a GREAT present! Thank you!
I’m sure I have enough in my yard right now to make this! I would love it if you link up to Garden Tuesday at Sidewalk Shoes today!
Fantastic! I have been over and linked up! Thank you for the invitation. I will add your hop to our blogs that I hop list. located here: Blog Hops
What a neat recipe! I love using free foods from the fields. Thank you for sharing it on the Art of Home-Making Mondays!
Good Monday morning! I just wanted to let you know that this post has been FEATURED this week at the Art of Home-Making Mondays! Thank you for joining in and we hope to see you this week! 🙂
WOW I am honored, thank you so much!! I will be over for sure!
This looks so incredible! Pinned and tweeted. Please join us on Monday at 7 pm and party with us! It is so super fun to see what you have been working on! Lou Lou Girls
Thank you so much. I look forward to it.
I love the idea of making dandelion jelly! So bright and pretty! I am wondering about using stevia and Pamona Pectin which gels with calcium water. You got me thinking 😉 Have a blessed week, friend!
What a fabulous idea! I’ve heard of using Dandelions in a salad, but never making jelly out of them. Thanks for sharing the recipe with SYC.
Jann