"Just as flowers are used to decorate a room, some common flowers can also be used to decorate foods. Flowers are not only used for their color, but for texture and flavor too. The leaves and roots of some flowering plants can also be eaten. For hundreds of years, flowers have been consumed. Edible flowers can be used in drinks, jellies, salads, soups, syrups and main dishes. Flowers can be preserved for future use. Some common edible flowers are Daisies (Bellis perennis quills), Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale leaves, roots, flowers, petals, buds), Daylilies (Hemerocallis buds, flowers, petals), Pansies (Viola x Wittrockiana flowers, petals), Pot Marigolds (Calendula officinalis petals with white heel removed), Roses (Rosa petals with white heel removed, rose hips) and Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus buds, petals, seeds)."
Last edited on Fri Oct 6th, 2006 12:24 am by backyardgardener
For dinner this evening we had what we refer to as "backyard salad". It's something different everytime as we go into our small garden and pick what is available. Tonights salad was red sunset lettuce, some garlic chive, small spinach leaves, french sorrell, strawberries, parsley and loveage. Topped with calendula flower petals (peppery), violet blooms (sweet) and chive blooms. Our grandchildren loved "surprising Dad-pa" with flowers sprinkled over his salad. Also a good chance to teach them not to eat flowers unless a close relative like parents or grandparents say its ok.
I have had daylilies, nasturtium and tulip petals either in a salad or stuffed with a filling. I will have to research sunflowers as I was not aware of those being edible. Thanks for that tip.
