Preparation:
Gather as many dandelion buds as possible; ~do not~ include any open or half-opened flowers. It takes a lot of them, believe me. Wash them thoroughly in several water baths, being very careful not to pull apart the tight cluster of the bud. Discard any that begin to open. Be sure all stem segments have been nipped off to the base of the buds, then soak them for~ half an hour in cold water. (This will leach out any of the white sap that may be present.) Rinse thoroughly. Pat dry on paper towels, pressing gently to remove water without crushing the buds. Using your favorite batter for deep-frying (I prefer a beer-batter of the type used for onion rings), completely coat each bud. Deep fry at 375-400F, shaking to prevent buds from sticking together, until medium brown. Drain on paper towels. Pour nuggets into a bowl, salt to taste, pop in a movie in the VCR, and enjoy. Sounds weird...tastes great. |
