Eat your flowers

Edible flowers - Add some rose petals, chrysanthemums and pansies to your regular baby green salad for a visually better and appetizing meal. 

You'll defintely finish your plate of edible flowers in no time. You'll probably ask for another serving. 

Now that's what I call fashionably vegetarian.
Philippines
May 2, 2007 10:05am CST
Flowers on the table most of the time are there just for visual effect. It enhances the table arrangement either as a focal point in a vase or as garnish alongside your meals. But you know that you can eat them as well? Using flowers in meals is nothing new. Early Romans, Victorians and even Orientals have used edible flowers in their foods. Lately, chefs are rediscovering this ancient food trend and use edible flowers in a salad or as agarnish to give the food a new twist not just in presentation but in taste too. Just remember that not all flowers can be eaten. Some are poisonous like azalea, anthurium, calla lily, tulips and more. Also make sure that the flowers are not contaminated with bacteria or spray with harmful chemical pesticide. Wash them thoroughly in cold water. This will not only clean it but it will make it crispy. Here are some of the most common edible flowers you can try: Apple Blossom- It has a delicate fruit flavor that can be eaten as salad or as preserves or candied. Chrysanthemums- Its petals have a tangy, slightly peppery taste that is used for stir fries, salads and dressings. Hibiscus or Rose of Sharon- Can be a good substitute for lettuce in salads. Only it's sweeter. Lavander- It's sweet taste makes it perfect with chocolate cake, ice cream or simply dipped in wine. Roses- It's sweet with minty, spicy or fruity undertones enhances jellies, syrups or even your plain water.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
5 May 07
How intersting, my friend....I have never heard of this before...I guess, I never gave it much thought....I love most flowers but have always thought of them as a decorative item both in the house and outside in the yard.
2 people like this
@brimia (6581)
• United States
14 May 07
I think edible flowers are beautiful garnish for foods, especially salads and cakes.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
17 May 07
They're not just pretty but tasty as well. And I've notice that real roses are now often used in cakes and they sure do looked better that those sugar flowers.
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
28 May 07
You can also eat violets and marygolds, Violets and roase petles can be dipped in egg white and sugar to male them pretty. Nasturtiums will give a salad a bit of a bite. You can take squash blossoms and dip them in a batter and deep fry them You can also do that with dandelion blossoms. As you said be careful of pesticides.
• Philippines
28 May 07
Roses - Bunch of beautiful pink roses.
We eat squash flowers but I didn't know that roses can be eaten too, neither chrysanthemums or lavander. Thanks a lot for the information. I hope to taste some of such flowers.