Dandelion jelly!?

Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:28 AM

Yesterday the kids and I spent the afternoon on a experimental project. We attempted to make dandelion jelly. I have been hearing so much about it lately, that I thought we could try it. I also decided that we will start the kids' nature journal out with the dandelion. We are learning about all the different ways you can use dandelions and how nourshing they are. I ordered a beautiful book about dandelions. It is called "Dandelions" by Eve Bunting. I haven't read it yet, but the pictures look beautiful. I will try to remember to let you all know if it is a good story or not. I also found a book called " Meet me in the meadow: Finding God in the wildflowers" by Deborah Hedstrom-Page. It sounded very interesting too. I will order that on Friday. I will let you know about that one also.

I decided that for the nature journals this summer that we will study all the useful plant life in our area, starting with the dandelion. That way they are all familiar with what can be used around here and what can't. It sounded like fun to me.

Here are some pictures of our attempt at making dandelion jelly yesterday. I do say attempt, because what we ended up with is Dandelion syrup. Being true to who I am, I had to adjust the recipe. I can never just follow them. So I used honey instead of sugar. It tastes wonderful, but it will be used on pancakes instead of toast!

Picking the blossoms off the greens! NO GREENS!

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Four cups of blossoms gave us three and a half pints of syrup. (jelly) It was a lot of fun to do this project. We were able to do it all together from picking the flowers, to pouring it in the jars. (The kids took turns holding the funnel for me) I love projects like that.

Looks Yummy!

Posted by kim2661 on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 12:19 PM - Link

What a fun spring project for you and your children!
Nature journals are such a fun way to homeschool. I did them with my boys for many years.
Blessings, Kim

Untitled Comment

Posted by MrsC on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 12:41 PM - Link

I just noticed that you added me as a friend, so I thought that I would come and check out your blog. I will definitely have to try out this jelly (as I am affectionately referred to as "the jelly lady" at our local farmers' market. Thanks for adding me and I will definitely be checking back, as it seems we have much in common.

God Bless!

grace

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 09:41 PM - Link

thanks for your note on my blog. prayer is truly the greatest gift a friend can give. the weather def. effects me! im a solar panel.
i think your nature journal sounds like a blast. your gonna laugh but i was planing on doing the same type of thing for me and grant and inviting you guys to join. thats to funny. maybe we can all do a field trip or something one day for fun. we just started school again just for fun. ( school is play-we love it) we stopped over our trip and im just now getting back into it because summer is such a fun time to do out door nature type stuff. we have been having a ball and it only takes about 20 minutes of real work most days. well really enjoy reading about how the journals go. i want to learn all the edible and medicinal plants we have growing wild and even go into some survival angles too. feel up to a camping trip. smile.
well, gonna run. blessings.

Taste?

Posted by specialmom42000 on Friday, May 23, 2008 at 09:05 AM - Link

Good morning,

Curious to know how did your jelly taste? I would be interested in the recipe if you would be willing to post it. God gives us so much to use, we just need to learn to use it.

Thanks for sharing....
Blessings, Kelly

Nice family project .

Posted by Shaune on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 11:17 PM - Link

What does the dandeloin jelly taste like ? Can to compare it to another taste ?? I am not sure if I have dandelions in my yard are area . Sounds like something I would atleast try . I haven't never heard of it before either . This is what I love about this blog , you can almost always learn something new about homesteading . See ya Shaune

Hi Jamie

Posted by kim2661 on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 04:31 PM - Link

I've tagged you, I hope you'll play along! Please visit my blog for details.
Peace and blessings, Kim