The Practical Nutritionist, LLC

Audrey J Pellegrino, M. Ed, M.HN,CNW®

Nationally board Certified Nutritional Wellness

Holistic Nutritionist/Educator

603-768-3214

practicalnutrition@gmail.com

www.pnutritionist.com

Your flower Garden as a Meal

I love going out into my flower garden and enjoying the beautiful blossoms, the varied leaf shapes and textures as well as the scents.  There are many who not only enjoy the scents and sights of their flower garden but the flavors as well.  There are many flowers which are edible and delicious.

The flavors are delicate and need to be highlighted so that you can enjoy the full flavor.  Some blossoms which are edible and delicious are day lilies, squash blossoms, nasturtiums, marigolds, carnations, chrysanthemum and dandelions.  You do need to make sure that the blossoms are fresh and are not sprayed with chemicals.  As you experiment you will come to realize that each has a very distinct flavor and also add an interesting visual aspect to your dish.

Of course herbs are often added and you do not think of them as flowers, but many are such as the lavender blossom, clover, chamomile, chive blossoms, fennel and jasmine.  The blossoms of herbs add stronger distinct flavors compared to the milder flavors of flower blossoms.

Flowers also add nutritional value, but it varies depending on which part of the plant is eaten.  Vitamin C is plentiful as well as vitamin A.  Some also add iron and phosphorus as well as calcium to your diet. 

There are rules to responsibly picking flowers such as picking herbs.  You never want to over pick wild flowers and herbs, make sure they are plentiful. Make sure you leave more than you pick.  Pick the blossoms, not the roots and do not pick them by the side of the road.  If you do they may have been contaminated by the exhaust of passing cars or the winter salt put on the roads, or even sprayed to keep plant growth down on the roadsides. Pick them early in the day and handle gently so you do not bruise them, shake to remove insects, and gently pat them dry after washing.  You can store them in the refrigerator for the day until you are ready to place them on your dinner plate and enjoy.