As Max reminded us back in March, there are no limits to nature’s harvest if you know where to look. As we approach summer, I’d like to share a recipe inspired by my love of foraging with both the climate change group and the wider public.

I’ve been making dandelion syrup for years, as it makes a perfect alternative to honey for those of us who choose to avoid animal (or insect!) products. The flavour is floral just like the flower itself while sugar gives it the sweetness of traditional honey.

I always use the same recipe, courtesy of https://veganonboard.com/. Their instructions include an interesting history of the dandelion and information on how to harvest. Below is the simplified recipe, although I encourage you to read the full version on their website!

Ingredients:
2 cups / 100g fresh dandelion heads
2 slices lemon
1.5 cups / 350ml water
Approximately 1.5 cups / 300g organic sugar (I use golden caster!)

Instructions:
1. Shake, tap or blow each dandelion head gently to remove any insects.
2. Place water, dandelions and lemon into a pan to boil, and simmer with the lid on for 15 minutes.
3. Leave this to cool and infuse overnight. At this point it’s like a herbal tea!
4. The next day, separate the liquid from the flower heads and lemon by straining through a fine muslin cloth. Really squeeze it to get as much of the flavour a possible- don’t worry about crushing the flowers and lemon a bit to extract the juices.
5. Weigh the liquid, and add the same amount of sugar. Put both together in the pan and heat gently until the sugar is dissolved.
6. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes or until the syrup thickens to a honey-like consistency when a droplet is put on a cold plate.
7. Pour the hot syrup into clean jars and put on the lids. Leave to cool at room temperature!

Dandelion flowering season is almost over in many part of the UK, but do keep hold of this recipe for use next year. Where dandelion leaves are present following the planet’s flowering, these can still be harvested and eaten in a salad!

Make sure with all edible plants that they are taken from somewhere away from the roadside and out of reach of dogs who are prone to urinating into grass and weeds! Always clean before use, and do not remove more than 20% of the plants in one place.

It goes without saying that you should not eat any wild plant or flower without a proper understanding of foraging! If in doubt, consult an expert.