flowers pretty enough to eat
Flowers are more than just pretty faces. We usually grow flowers for their beauty or to attract butterflies and bees to our gardens. But did you know that you can also eat some of them?
There are so many garden plants that produce edible flowers. Many of these flowers have nice, subtle flavors like rose petals or the common house geranium. It’s not surprising that many of these plants taste like they smell.
Eating flowers dates back thousands of years to the Romans who used mallow, rose and violets. The Old Testament refers to the use of dandelions as a bitter herb, and in the Victorian era, rose petals were added to dishes and sweets. Carnations are said to be an ingredient of Chartreuse, a green herbal liquor developed by French monks in the seventeenth century. Eating flowers has had a surge in popularity as more and more restaurants are using flowers not just as garnishes but as part of the meal itself. I love daylilies on a salad with fresh fruit and light vinaigrette. Squash blossoms are delightful when stuffed with vegetables and cheese. 20
Naturally
