What? You EAT Your flowers??

"Look at us, said the violets blooming at her feet, all last winter we slept in the seeming death but at the right time God awakened us, and here we are to comfort you." Edward Payson

 

TODAY'S SEEDS OF WISDOM

• WHAT? YOU EAT YOUR FLOWERS?
• HOW TO USE EDIBLE FLOWERS
• SHARE OUR GARDEN RECIPE #001 CANDIED FLOWERS

 

WHAT? YOU EAT YOUR FLOWERS???
The same colors and beauty flowers bring to your garden can be enjoyed at the table as well. CAUTION! Not all flowers are edible, and just because some are doesn't mean you should start tasting everyone you see! The flowers of many plants are toxic and some poisonous. Here is a list of proven safe edible flowers:
BASIL
BEE BALM
CALENDULA( or MARIGOLD) PETALS
CHIVES
DANDELIONS
DAYLILIES
DIANTHUS (or CARNATIONS) PETAL TIPS
LAVENDER
MINT
MUSTARD PLANT FLOWERS
NASTURIUMS
PANSIES
ROSES
SAGE
SCENTED GERANIUMS
SIGNET MARIGOLD
SQUASH BLOSSOMS
SUNFLOWERS
TUBEROUS BEGONIAS
TULIPS
VIOLETS

It is best to grow your own edible flowers as then you can be sure they were not treated or sprayed with toxic pesticide residue. Many flowers raised for the florist trade are sprayed.

HOW TO USE EDIBLE FLOWERS
Pick them just before you are ready to use them, that way they will not be wilted and their flavor will be at it's peak. Harvested flowers can be loosely wrapped in damp paper towels and refrigerated for up to one day.

• Garnish fruit salad, sorbet or ice cream with sage, rose, violet or pansy blossoms.
• Mix rose petals, mint flowers or violets into cake batter
• Toss blossoms with your favorite salad greens.
• Freeze flower petals in ice cubes and use in drink glasses or punch bowl
• Day Lily blossoms, whole, buds or cut into strips are wonderful when tossed with buttered pasta and Parmesan cheese, or you can add them to a salad

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SHARE OUR GARDEN RECIPE # 001 CANDIED FLOWERS

You will need:

Small blossoms with short stems such as violets, pansies or nasturiums (don't pick until ready to prepare to minimize wilting)

(1) egg white

2T superfine sugar

small food safe paintbrush

Pick violets, pansies or nasturiums with short stems attached. Quickly rinse and pat dry.

In a small bowl, beat an egg white until frothy, then mix in 2 Tablespoons of superfine sugar. Hold the blossom by the stem and paint the mixture on both sides of the petals. Let dry in fridge.When you are ready to use, such as decorating the top of a cake or cupcake, snip off stem and set in place.

 

As always, we would love to hear from you! Please share here.