This weed, the bane of gardeners around the globe, invades lawns and gardens and is hard to get rid of due to its thick long roots. However, as with other weeds, it is easy to harvest. The leaves, roots and even flowers have a myriad of edible and medicinal uses. The easiest way to gather it is to pluck the leaves found in the centre of the dandelion clump. These leaves are less bitter and very tender.
They can be chopped and sprinkled into salads where they impart a tangy flavour. The yellow flowers make a colourful garnish and the blossoms can be used to make ice cream. The roots can be roasted and used to make decaffeinated coffee, or steamed whole and eaten like carrots. The unopened flower buds can be pickled and used in recipes requiring capers.