A Bit of Weed

Nothing like a bit of weed to cheer oneself up.

I’ve been giving all the plants in my garden sidelong glances, thinking Can I eat you?

Not because I’m high. I’ve never smoked a plant, but I darn well intend doing so before I die. I better hurry up then hey. I suspect no one is brave enough to hold my hand while I do. I think they’re understandably terrified of what might happen and a bit suspicious, like What’s wrong with you?…

I’m sussing out my plants because I balk at the price of greens (and more or less everything) and I know I must start growing food again.

In the meantime, while planting ideas blossom and grow, I’m in danger of poisoning us. I’m overexcited and googling can I cook pelargonium leaves?

I cooked a ‘weed’ today – dandelion – and it made a passable potato soup. Sautéed (I believe that is the right term) the following in coconut oil:

3 onions, a bit of leftover cucumber (I cook anything, even lettuce, shame), about 4 uprooted, mature dandelion plants, leaves only (left the flowering ones for the bees), and 10 diced potatoes, skins on. Added garlic and herbs, salt, 6 bay leaves, and covered with boiled water.

I did have to fish out errant blades of grass that clung to the dandelion leaves after a thorough washing and, after simmering ’til soft, remember to fish out the bay leaves before adding a tub of cream and blitzing with my spear blender. It tastes like mashed potato in bell-bottoms, not bad at all; although my next helping will be sprinkled with feta cheese.

A few hours have passed and I’m alive (obviously) so I’m patting myself on the back (I have a creepily flexible left arm; I can scratch, or pat, my own back, no problemo).

Before emulating my enthusiasm, please research what true, edible dandelions look like, and perhaps check-in here in 24 hours to make sure I’m still alive-o.

A few months back, nasturtium leaves were the only effective remedy for a persistent swollen throat, but you can’t go wrong with nasturtiums, can you…

xxx TeaShell

🖤