Add a beautiful, aesthetic touch to your next dinner with tasty flowers that you can grow yourself. Many upscale restaurants have adopted the practice of garnishing salads and certain dishes with flowers. Flowers provide a touch of color, fragrance, texture and taste to an ordinary meal. You too can create a beautiful dish by growing your own edible flowers.
Can you really eat flowers?
The answer is: yes! If you are new to the idea of eating edible flowers, you will soon find that these can make tasty and beautiful garnishes. Think of the flowers like garnishes. Except like traditional garnishes like parsley, edible flowers provide a dazzling array of colors, fragrance and texture. Many people who come across flower garnishes for the first time in their life are often afraid of eating them. Don't be afraid! They are quite good to eat, often adding a zesty or fragrant flavor to an otherwise dull meal.
The dual purpose of edible flowers
Many flowers serve a dual purpose: they are there to look beautiful in your garden, as well as to provide an aesthetic and tasty treat on your dinner plate. You can grow these flowers and enjoy them in your garden, and you can also enjoy them in the kitchen. Some specialty grocery stores will also offer edible flowers for sale. However, these are often expensive because these flowers are quite fragile and will not keep their texture for long after they have been picked. You can save yourself the expense and provide a steady supply of fresh flowers to your dinner table by growing edible flowers yourself. You should also be wary about the flowers you eat-specifically, make sure that they are organic and free of any pesticides. Here is a brief overview of the most popular edible flowers and how they might be used in your cooking.
Nasturtiums-the most common flower for eating.
Nasturtiums are by far the most common edible flower, and there is good reason for this. Nasturtiums give a bold dose of scarlet and yellow colors. They look and taste great with green salads and come in a range of colors, including, cream, orange and many bi-colors. They are also relatively easy to grow. You can grow them from seed or eat them straight off a transplant (making certain that they are safe to eat, of course). What does nasturtium taste like? You will find that they make a flavorful addition to any salad, and can range from slightly sweet to bold and peppery. Many chefs have discovered the unique taste of making flavorful vinegar from nasturtium. Simply add a handful of fresh nasturtium to a high-quality white wine Vinegar and let the mixture sit in a dark cool place for several weeks.
For a minty flavor, choose pansies.
Pansies are popular annuals that can offer a mild wintergreen flavor to any dish. Use pansies to create cake decorations, or make a luxurious cream cheese appetizer.
Marigolds-a useful substitute for saffron
Pot marigold, also known as Calendula, are easily substituted for saffron. Simply cook them with oil, which will bring out the flavor and color of the flowers. You can cook them with a bit of olive oil and some chopped onions and add these to rice or broth for a unique and flavorful combination. Marigolds are inexpensive and easy to grow, making them a good choice if you are new to edible flowers.
Eat healthy with squash flowers.
Squash flowers are one of the most popular and common of the edible flowers. You can use squash flowers, zucchini flowers, acorn and patty pan squash in various dishes. Squash flowers are often used in traditional Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine for many years.
Lawrence L. Hoyle, author, 54 years in the Landscape Profession. Check out his main website at: https://www.web-landscape-design-ideas.com. This website has free Landscape help for Do-It-Yourselves and a online Landscape Design Services for Homeowners, Landscape Contractors and Home Builders. Designs online since 2003 with designs in 40 states. Get your today.!
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Select Plants with Double DutyIncorporating
Opt for plants that deliver on both aesthetic and functional fronts, such as lavender or nasturtiums. The lavender adds purple hues and a delightful fragrance, while nasturtiums are not only colorful but also offer edible blossoms. These types of flora epitomize the essence of an edible, functional garden.
Embrace the Art of Design
Incorporating the art of design into your edible landscape allows for a visually rich and practical garden. Experimenting with diverse elements, such as contrasting the fine leaves of dill against the broad foliage of kale, creates an eye-catching tableau that is also ripe for harvesting. With this artistic approach, your edible landscape becomes not just a source of food but a feast for the eyes as well.
Show Off Your Work
Once you’ve crafted your edible landscape, why not show it off? Especially if others are interested in learning more about what you do, hosting a get-together could be a great idea to share information and foster a deeper sense of community. You can even take things up a notch by sending out invitations; use this free invitation maker to stand out and make everyone feel welcome!Thoughtful Clusterings
Adopt a methodical approach to your edible landscape by clustering plants based on their requirements for water and sunlight. Basil and tomatoes are a good pair to grow together, as both thrive in sunnier spots. Through such thoughtful clusterings, each plant enjoys its optimal environment, contributing to a garden that is both lush and fruitful.
Share and Profit from Your Experience
Launching a YouTube channel to share your edible landscaping journey can be both educational for others and profitable for you. Consider making your venture more official by registering an LLC in your respective state. The benefits of establishing an LLC for your venture are manifold. Limited liability shields your personal assets, tax advantages can be substantial, there's generally less paperwork involved compared to other structures, and the operational flexibility allows you to adapt as your business grows. This confluence of benefits makes an LLC an ideal option for turning your passion into a thriving enterprise.
A Space for Mindful Livingfunctional furniture like a bench or hammock takes your edible landscape from merely practical to invitingly livable. These additions offer a place for you to unwind, turning your garden into a tranquil oasis for mindful living. Beyond enhancing your immediate experience, this strategy also adds tangible value to your property. Ultimately, it transforms your edible landscape into both a sanctuary for personal rejuvenation and a wise financial investment.