Cat’s Ear – Hypochaeris radicata
Besides Dandelion, Cat’s Ear is a top competitor against lawn care management, finding its home in even the driest of front yards. In an attempt to find yourself in natures limelight, why not try removing this weed using biological warfare… Eating it!
Anytime I cook my veggies I like to keep it simple, here’s what I used:
- Cat’s Ear stems with flowers/buds
- Water
- Olive Oil
- Garlic Salt
If this list of ingredients didn’t blow your mind and you’re still with me, here’s the process in picture format.
Place the washed stems/flowers in a shallow bath of water in a pot with lid on. Steam on a medium heat and allow to simmer till soft.
Using extra virgin Olive Oil and Garlic Salt (or whatever spice your heart’s desire) fry on a medium/high heat till slightly golden.
Garnish with the petals of a fresh flower, display on a dish and voila! A delicious and nutritious showpiece for your next dinner party. Just don’t tell your guest where you picked their veggies :}
Thanks for reading and as always,
Happy Foraging!
-Henry H.
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**Check back next week as I attempt to fry my first: Beer Battered Ox-eye Daisies.
The Northwest Forager™ 
These were my favorite weed because they don’t form a taproot, so they’re easy to pull up. I guess now I’ll have to try eating them as well!
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Thank you for the video! I have an abundance of “Cat’s Ear” in my front yard! I first thought it was “Dandelion”, but when I went to harvest it, I noticed the leaves were fuzzy. Not being sure of what this was, and if it was safe to eat, I decided to investigate further. Now I am sure it is “Cat’s Ear”. I also have in my back yard what I grew up calling “Poke Salad”. I do have a good bit of experience from my childhood, collecting and preparing these greens with my mother. I didn’t know it was called “foraging” though! I am interested in learning more about foraging and preparing, for my own medicinal purposes. I plan to document by photos/video/journals. Thank you! Angela J.
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I actually ate CatsEar plant today for the first time. It was awesome. Some people call it Hawkbit because it said that Hawks came down and ate the flowers and for improved eyesight. I don’t know how anyone would know why the Hawks ate it? But I know why I will. I pan fried mine crispy. Added it to my salad. The only thing missing might be some sauteed sunflower seeds next time
Yum.
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