Dandellion root

Today I processed dandelion root, that I harvested from my garden yesterday.  The ground, soft from steady overnight rain, released the roots with minimal effort applied with a digging fork.

Since I had obligations that precluded my from immediately washing and processing the roots, I saved them for today, when I could attend to them with great care and attention.

With cold water I carefully washed the roots, and scrubbed the crevices. I peeled off the eyes and grooves where dirt could have remained tucked. I then sliced the bright white roots and placed them in the dehydrator.

The smell of the roots as I cleaned, peeled and sliced them reminded me of summer when I was a child - playing in the yard and braiding dandelion stems.