Most look at dandelions this time of year and think bad words! Dandelions hardly grew at our place in Texas so I was excited to see them springing up in our yard in MO. Chickens love them and a handful of dandelions tossed to chickens every day will make for some gorgeous egg yolks!
Addie says her chickens love dandelions and this is an egg from her chickens.
Yesterday I picked enough dandelions to make a double batch of dandelion jelly. The flowers needed to steep overnight so today, I will strain the juice and get that jelly made!
When I go to get Addie Thursday afternoon, I’ll pick redbud blossoms off Chad’s trees and then make redbud jelly. I use the same recipe for redbud jelly as for dandelion jelly but instead of using lemon juice, for the redbud jelly I use either orange juice or a bit of orange zest. This may be a year I don’t have access to fresh fruit but we will have homemade jelly!
Joyce says
I like dandelion wine, but I have never heard of dandelion jelly or redbud jelly! They both sound interesting. I’m down to 1 Redbud tree (and it is a huge old tree), so I doubt I could reach the flowers to pick them. Not that I have time to make jelly right now anyway…but it still sounds interesting!
Christina Coats says
Sound delicious, what’s the recipe Judy? Plenty around me. Here in the UK they are weeds to pick as soon as the green leaves appear. Always thought it’s a shame as they are a happy colour.
Judy Laquidara says
They’re weeds here too for those who don’t know or don’t want to use them. The flowers are also good fried. I had those for lunch yesterday. There’s a link in the blog post to the recipe.
Tee says
What doe the redbud jelly taste like?
Judy Laquidara says
Lemon or orange juice is added to bring the acidity level up so there’s a bit of that flavor but just a floral taste from the redbud. It isn’t really fruity but kinda “fragrant” if that makes sense.
Tee says
Yes, that makes sense. Thanks. If I wasn’t so short of lids, I might try it. Maybe a half a batch.
Rebecca says
Two notes: I have seen, in several places, that dandelions are important food for bees, especially as they come out before most other flowers. I know bees need help!
Also: the Flora Forager made magnolia petal jam and tea. She was surprised at the somewhat spicy taste! I looked up magnolia jam, and after wading through a lot of “Magnolia Table” posts (Fixer Upper?), I did find one for magnolia jelly. You might like to try it!
Judy Laquidara says
There are so many dandelions in this area that the bees won’t miss the few used for making jelly, even if half the people in the area made jelly. Here, there are many fruit trees in full bloom. Even though it isn’t a favorite for bees, they do get nectar from Bradford Pears and they are blooming everywhere now.
I don’t mind pickled magnolia leaves but I find it too strong for jelly. I might would like it with meat (like mint jelly) but not on toast or biscuits.
Rebecca says
Haha! I should have guessed you have tried it!
Inka fom Germany says
Have you ever tried Daisy jelly? There are lots of Daisies in my lawn and lots of Dandelions too.
Judy Laquidara says
I have not tried that but I don’t know that I have any daisies around here. I’ll have to start watching. Have you tried daisy jelly?
Sheryl says
Both sound delicious. I might go out and pick some dandelions and try to make some sugar free jelly.