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Wild Edibles

Turkish Yogurt and Dandelion Green Salad (Yoğurtlu Cevizli ve Karahindiba). Photograph by Laurie Constantino

Turkish Yogurt and Dandelion Green Salad (Yoğurtlu Cevizli ve Radika)
With Thanks to Meltem Birkegren Dandelion greens are eaten throughout the Mediterranean. In Turkey, they’re called “karahindiba” or “radika.” Meltem Birkegren, originally from Istanbul, explained the Turkish way of cooking dandelion greens: “We usually wilt the greens then mix with olive oil, lemon juice, and crushed garlic … You can also wilt the dandelions [and] to the olive oil/lemon juice/garlic … add some yogurt & walnuts.” Inspired by Meltem, and with a bag of cleaned dandelion greens in the refrigerator, I made Turkish Yogurt and …

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Recipes

Thai Carrot Rhubarb Soup. Photograph by Laurie Constantino

Thai Carrot Rhubarb Soup
Thai Carrot Rhubarb Soup is warming when served hot and cooling when served cold. It’s delicious both ways; every taster loved this soup. Its flavors — including tart rhubarb and sweet carrots — are well-balanced and make a tangy, but not puckery, soup. If you don’t like spicy food, leave out jalapeños or use the lesser amount. If you want a hotter version, leave in jalapeño seeds. Made with vegetable stock and vegan “fish” sauce, Thai Carrot Rhubarb Soup is vegan (and gluten-free).

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Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska

Baby Moose Frolicking in Pond. Photograph by Laurie Constantino

Cold Soup for Hot Summer Days: Green Gazpacho
Green Gazpacho with dandelion greens and spruce tips is a cool solution for hot weather meals (the same gazpacho made with spinach and herbs is also delicious). Served ice cold, jalapeños (optional) give Green Gazpacho a nice punch.

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Alaska Food

Earthworks Farm, Palmer, Alaska 2012

Beverly Barker, Queen of the Bees
To protect her honey’s flavor, and to preserve its full nutritional benefits, Beverly sells only raw honey and takes care not to damage it with heat. (Most store-bought honey is pasteurized rather than raw.) Raw honey is best eaten with yogurt or spread on toast. For honey desserts, Mandarin Oranges with Rosemary Honey and Honey-Grilled Figs with Lemon Mascarpone are two of my favorites.

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Memoirs

Mother and Daddy, Young and in Love 1944

A Life in Food: Eating and Cooking with Mother
When we were kids, Mother wasn’t an adventuresome cook.Part of the problem was Mother and Daddy were famously picky eaters. After we left home, she became a gourmet cook. Mother’s Choucroute Garnie recipe is perfect cold weather party fare: tender braised sauerkraut, sweetened with onion and apple, and garnished with cured meats.

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Life in Greece

Gigantes (Greek Giant White Beans) in Tomato Sauce

Gigantes (Giant Beans) Cure Homesickness for Greece
When I'm homesick for the sights and sounds of Atsiki, the Greek village where we live part-time, I cook gigantes in savory tomato sauce. Gigantes (giant) or elephantes (elephant) beans from Greece are large white kidney-shaped beans, related to scarlet runner beans.

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Reader's Questions

Swiss Chard Tourte with Powdered Sugar

How to Cook Greens and Recipes for Greens
Greens are good for us, and they're very delicious. Greens, both wild and domesticated, are a staple in our home. Here are some of my favorite greens recipes.

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