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Post by imec on Nov 6, 2009 13:12:18 GMT
A terrific restaurant (part of an Inn actually) in Sooke on Vancouver Island is noted in part for its commitment (for as long as I can remember) to serve only products grown or caught on site. One of the delights of a meal there is edible flowers in nearly every dish presented. I really like the idea and have been wondering if any of you gardeners grow edible flowers and use them in your cuisine. I've grown some herbs whose blooms are edible and I tried growing some nasturtiums once. How about you guys?
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Post by spindrift on Nov 6, 2009 13:37:17 GMT
I've often eaten stuffed courgette flowers.... and I have a passion for Rose and Violet chocolate creams ( ;D, not what you're talking about, I know!).
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 6, 2009 15:20:19 GMT
I eat the leaves and flowers from my nasturtium plants. Basil flowers are really nice to sprinkle over salad or other foods for presentation and flavor.
Squash flowers are always available around here. I usually eat them either fresh in salads or chopped into pasta. If you're growing them, pick most male flowers in order to allow the female ones to develop into squash.
The flowers of the scarlet runner bean are eaten here, although I've never tried them.
I wonder if pansies can be eaten, since they're a type of violet.
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Post by lola on Nov 6, 2009 17:51:00 GMT
Violets and johnny jump-ups, sorrel, allium flowers like chives, marigold petals, borage, monarda, flowers from red bud tree -- all in salads.
Cooked: Deep-fried elderberry and squash flowers, and day lily buds, and the squash flowers in soup. The occasional rose petal. Chamomile tea, natch. Then we get into the medicinal realm.
My older brother was a Stalking the Wild Asparagus type, and I learned a lot of things at his elbow. I'd be above average handy to have around in a survivalist situation, so keep my email address handy.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 6, 2009 18:11:48 GMT
Yes, but would you be good to eat in case the foraging is poor?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2009 19:48:54 GMT
The problem with having to forage in the wild is that there isn't a lot of wild ... I recently made some fritters with elderberry blooms. I let them grow wild in certain areas.
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Post by lola on Nov 6, 2009 22:43:02 GMT
bixa, I'm afraid that's one of those questions I'll never know the answer to.
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