Our Forgotten Food: Dandelions Article

What were two common items in the American diet nearly 150 years ago that are not commonly eaten today?

• Rice and beans

• Quail eggs and acorns

• Chicken and corn

• Potatoes and carrots

What is the general attitude towards dandelions according to the text?

• They are highly valued for their nutritional benefits.

• They are considered a nuisance and are disliked.

• They are used as a staple food in modern diets.

• They are distributed as bouquets to children.

For what purposes were dandelions brought to America by early colonists?

• Decoration and landscaping

• Medicinal concoctions and cooking

• Feeding livestock

• Trading with other colonies

What was a common practice for early American farmers to preserve food?

• Freezing

• Canning

• Drying

• Pickling

Why were dandelion greens considered a reliable food source during the winter?

• They could be dried and stored easily.

• They were imported from warmer climates.

• They resisted spoilage and could last many days.

• They grew under the snow.

What type of plants are dandelions classified as?

• Woody plants

• Herbaceous plants

• Aquatic plants

• Desert plants

Why are dandelions able to survive in shallow soil?

• Their roots require little water.

• Their stems are very strong.

• Their roots penetrate shallowly within the soil to absorb rainfall.

• They do not need soil to grow.

Why should you not eat wild dandelions from a lawn?

• They are not edible.

• They are bitter tasting.

• They may be loaded with pesticides.

• They are illegal to pick.

Where are dandelions sold today?

• In specialized dandelion farms only.

• In health food markets as an exotic food.

• In all supermarkets as a common vegetable.

• They are not sold anymore.

Match the following VOCAB words from the article to their meaning

• filled or surrounded with

• IMBUED (section 2)

• to appear or become visible

• EMERGING (section 5)

• something prepared from many ingredients

• SUBSISTENCE (section 4)

• supporting oneself or family

• CONCOCTIONS (section 3)