Once you’ve planted your vegetable garden and made sure your fruit trees are doing well, it is time to turn into a flower garden to look for more edibles. It’s true that you may use the blossoms of several well-known herbs, like rosemary, and squash blossoms have long been a favorite summer treat, and of course a great method of depriving yourself of extra zucchini before you’re overrun. But a surprising number of familiar garden flowers, from roses into pansies into geraniums, may do double duty in your kitchen.
Warning: If you’re allergic to a specific plant, make sure you prevent the blossoms. Even in the event that you are aware of no allergies, taste blossoms first before you put them to a favorite dish, and use them sparingly. And if you’re growing the flowers to eat, avoid using pesticides or chemicals on the plants.
Jean Marsh Design
Nasturtiums aren’t just one of the easiest flowers to grow, they are flexible in the kitchen. All parts are edible, and they have a somewhat sharp and peppery taste which could be unexpected.
They are a brilliant addition to green salads. You can also chop up the leaves and petals and add them into butters or vinegars. Use them as a last decorative touch also, whether pressed into a round of goat cheese or topping a chocolate cake.
The blossoms of all types of roses may be utilised in many of ways. You can candy the petals; include them in salads or tea sandwiches; insert them into jelly, jam, honey and butter; brew tea or use them to taste sugar (eliminate the petals before using the sugars ).
Make certain to flavor first, as the flavors vary greatly from rose to rose — a general guideline is that the deeper the colour, the stronger the flavor. It’s also a fantastic idea to eliminate the white base of the flower, since it is usually bitter.
Beertje Vonk Artist
Members of this viola household, from pansies and johnny-jump-ups into violets, really are a sweet edible flower with a hint of wintergreen. Add human petals into salads, tea sandwiches or cheese; leading cupcakes with whole flowers.
Candied violets have held a place of honor in the dessert world, but plain violets may also be added to sugar to infuse it with a delicate taste.
Pansies are also a natural edging for a vegetable garden. While a number of people would think you’re only combining blossoms with your edibles, then you’ll know that everything may be utilised in the kitchen.
Jean Marsh Design
Even though they’re best known for their cologne, lavender blossoms are also a well-known kitchen staple. Use them as a garnish or in salads; insert them into syrup, vinegar or lemonade; or bake them into sugar cookies.
Warning: Don’t consume lavender oil.
Monrovia
Citrus blossoms are often as edible as the fruit. Taste first, since the taste varies and can be too strong. Use them lemonade, ice cream or whipped cream; add them into salads or combine them to taste fish or fowl. You can also candies the blossoms for a sweet treat, even though the edges may turn brown in the process.
Suzanne MacCrone Rogers
Scented geraniums (Pelargonium species, although not the hardy true geraniums) have little but fragrant flowers which may be added to fruit salads, sugar or lotions. It is also possible to attempt candying the blossoms. The rose-scented geraniums are inclined to be the most popular, but give the others a try.
Warning: The citronelle variety, despite its name, isn’t edible.
Summerset Gardens/Joe Weuste
Dianthus (also called pinks) have a sweet, nearly clovelike taste. Use as a garnish, or add to salads or butters. These miniature carnations can be sour, so flavor them first.
Adam P Schiff Designs
Tuberous begonias shine, whether planted in the backyard or hanging in baskets, but you can also pull them into the kitchen. The flowers have a light yet crisp flavor which works well in sandwiches and salads, and they are also great as a garnish. You may eat them with a dip.
Warning: Use just tuberous begonia hybrids. Additionally they include oxalic acid, so don’t eat them if you have gout, kidney stones or rheumatism.
More:
Unusual Edible Gardens
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