First harvest of the year

Wifezilla

Low-Carb Queen - RIP: 1963-2021
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
8,928
Reaction score
16
Points
270
Location
Colorado
I picked dandelion leaves (and a few flowers*) and chives and put them in a jar and covered them with apple cider vinegar. I will have a tasty vinegar in a couple of months that will pack a healthy punch...loaded with vitamin C, potassium and calcium. Makes a VERY yummy salad dressing when mixed with extra virgin olive oil and some sea salt and course ground pepper.

* As I was picking the leaves and flowers on one part of the yard, my young rouen duck was on the other end of the yard gobbling up the flowers before I could steal them from him :p
 

freemotion

Food Guru
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
10,817
Reaction score
90
Points
317
Location
Southwick, MA
Mmmmm....what about the roots, too?

I'm definitely gonna make some vinegars this year.
 

Wifezilla

Low-Carb Queen - RIP: 1963-2021
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
8,928
Reaction score
16
Points
270
Location
Colorado
If I dig up the roots, I wont get more leaves and flowers....and my duck will be all sad! :gig

Next - it looks like my chives are getting ready to blossom. I pick the purple flowers and pour white vinegar on those. You get a fantastic chive flavor AND it turns the vinegar this pretty purple color. Just strain before serving.
 

Tallman

Almost Self-Reliant
Joined
Feb 13, 2009
Messages
804
Reaction score
1
Points
133
Location
SE Kansas
I did my dandelion vinegar about three days ago. I am just using the flower; however, I think the leaves have the most nutritional value. Yesterday I did the same thing with nettle.
 

TanksHill

Super Self-Sufficient
Joined
Sep 12, 2008
Messages
8,192
Reaction score
15
Points
272
Location
NOT Southern, Ca. :)
Wow, so let me get this right. You are just flavoring the vinegar by letting the herbs soak? How long to marinate? Then what just stick in the fridge until needed? Thanks gina
 

Tallman

Almost Self-Reliant
Joined
Feb 13, 2009
Messages
804
Reaction score
1
Points
133
Location
SE Kansas

me&thegals

A Major Squash & Pumpkin Lover
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
3,806
Reaction score
9
Points
163
Location
central WI
I've seen herbed vinegar recipes before but have never tried them. Does the vinegar get quite flavorful? Do you start with white vinegar?
 

Tallman

Almost Self-Reliant
Joined
Feb 13, 2009
Messages
804
Reaction score
1
Points
133
Location
SE Kansas
me&thegals said:
I've seen herbed vinegar recipes before but have never tried them. Does the vinegar get quite flavorful? Do you start with white vinegar?
From what I have read it's apple cider vinegar only. This is my first time to do this so I don't know about flavor. I'm more interested in nutrition.

As I understand it, the ACV draws all the nutrients out of the herb so if you take a teaspoon of vinegar like I do a couple of times a day you are getting a super charged dose.
 

me&thegals

A Major Squash & Pumpkin Lover
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
3,806
Reaction score
9
Points
163
Location
central WI
I read that a long time ago about vinegar in soup stock. It is supposed to leach calcium from the soup bones and into the broth.
 
Top