My parents had a lawn full of these golden orbs, so I gathered them to make dandelion syrup.
I used this recipe, added both lemons and oranges to round out the flavour more and it ended up tasting like a sweet orange syrup. I think I would start with half the amount of sugar in the future.
We used the syrup on pancakes, in iced tea, and generally as a replacement for syrup or sugar.
Dandelions are also great for salads, battered, or to make coffee substitute.
Riotflower's Realm 
🙂
: * ) …I only wish I could have brought some home with me!
[…] early when the leaves are small, with the flower heads still furled buds at the base, you can make dandelion syrup, have them on salads or make battered dandelions as well! […]