Bright Ideas

I bought calendars late in December for my husband and a friend featuring hot peppers. What would I get for myself? I decided on herbs, assuming they would be familiar herbs we grow outside our back door.

Some were: rosemary, sage, chives, oregano, thyme, and garlic. Some of these have appeared, but I was surprised by others. The month of April featured dandelions. My grandmother collected tender leaves from first dandelions of the season. Of course she was teased mercilessly, but that didn’t phase her.

The recipe the calendar included was called Horta, “This classic dish is enjoyed throughout...