There is a considerable amount of benefits that come from consuming flowers that I bet you didn’t know about… For starters, they add an interesting taste, texture and decadent quality to recipes that can change the entire “feel” of a meal without becoming overbearing in flavor. This concept may not be completely foreign to most since many of us already cook with plants such as flowers and veggies which have useful blooms to add to our kitchen. Violets and squash are examples of this and have several delicious qualities that turn an ordinary dish into magic. Even if you’re a meat and potato type of a person- I can guarantee there is a recipe here that is perfect for you. Read up on the qualities of these earthy flowers and see what entices your palate.
photo credit via thenerdyfarmwife.com
Violets
You wouldn’t think it but these little purple wildflowers are more than a pretty ground cover. Violets have several purposes due to its rich color, scent and yes- even taste. There are hundreds of recipes that utilize this bloom’s properties to make delicious dishes, particularly those that lay on the sweeter side. Desserts are the perfect place to show off this spring blossom’s attributes such as in cakes, pastries and drinks. One idea that really interested me was a recipe that I came across written by “the nerdy farmwife” which was a violet jelly. Not only did she market the beauty of this concoction impeccably but it also made my mouth water for some jam and biscuits immediately. Easy as 1-2-3 instructions as well as sensational photographs taken, jelly fans might want to pop on over to this site to see how you can make your own violet infused jelly!
photo credit via marthastewart.com
Squash Blossoms
Every year I grow zucchini in my garden and every year I gaze upon their beautiful yellow buds that are pretty enough to cut and place in a vase. Little did I know that they share a dual purpose because after some research, I found that these flowers could also be used in cooking. From additions to salads to enticing Italian platters, squash blooms have been used forever in cuisine and can easily be adapted into any diet. There are many different ways to prepare the blossoms such as frying, baking or stuffing, which makes them highly popular when sold at farm stands or on the rare occasion- grocery stores. Often you will see recipes calling for squash blooms when they are stuffed with cheese, the best being ricotta because of the pleasant compliment in taste they give one another. Another incredible combo is with marinara sauce, making these the ideal ingredients to bake an earthy version of the classic pizza. The taste is out of this world plus you’ll get the added benefit of dressing your pie with healthy veggies. Try this version invented by Martha Stewart!