[ravenstine]

What's also good is sow thistle, which most people mistake for dandelion, but is a bit uglier looking. If eaten when they're young and tender, they're quite tasty and not bitter like dandelion. Whenever I spot a sow thistle in my yard, I just let it grow like any other vegetable.

[jacobush]

Young dandelion leaves are not very bitter at all.

[ravenstine]

They're not very bitter, but I still prefer the taste of sow thistle. I still love dandelions, though. :) They're definitely an under-appreciated and misunderstood plant.

From what I've read, they're actually beneficial for lawns as their long roots draw up nutrients from deep in the soil. Yet we pull them out and spray herbicides to kill them! I don't remember ever seeing brown patches caused by dandelions.

[creep]

I used to mix dandelion shoots in with my green smoothie in the morning, when they were available. It gave the smoothie kind of a creamy effect, with a microfoam on top. It was delicious.