a sign of spring

those pesky dandelions that everyone wishes would leave their pristine yards alone.  i'll take them!  last year i ventured further into urban foraging and made dandelion sorbet, which was absolutely delicious.  

spring has been very slow coming in minneapolis  this year- it actually snowed during the annual may day parade this past weekend.  so when i started to see dandelions popping up around town last week, i knew some spring-like weather would surely follow soon.  so this afternoon, when i was headed out for my walk with freddie, i decided to grab a little mesh bag to bring along and collect dandelion blossoms in the park.  as with last year, i got a few odd looks, and was happy to explain what i was doing to a passing schoolgirl.  

of course, if you're going to forage dandelions (or anything else) you'll want to make sure that the area is not treated with pesticides.  last spring, i called the minneapolis parks department and they assured me that the only treatment the parks get is an occasional (and, i mean occasional) mowing.  definitely no pesticides.  of course, there are all manner of other things going on in the park (especially dogs and other critters) so you'll want to make sure to thoroughly rinse the flowers when you get home. 

instead of sorbet (which i do hope to make again this spring), i decided to go for some dandelion lemonade today.  i followed this recipe, using about 1 Tbl honey and it's steeping right now.  can't wait to drink it up later this evening.  perhaps while sitting on the back porch?  why, don't mind if i do.