You can eat Nasturtium leaves and flowers.
Nasturtium has many benefits to the garden.Can you eat it?What can you do with it?The benefits of nasturtium and how you can use it in your kitchen are explored in this article.
You can eat nasturtium.You can harvest the flowers, leaves, stems and seeds from Nasturtium plants if you put on a pretty display of flowers.Nasturtium is just as delicious cooked as it is eaten raw.
There is a mild peppery taste to flowers and leaves.They are described as having a mildly spicy taste.They are similar to the taste of radish and watercress.
If the flowers are too strong for your liking, you can remove the middle of the flower and use the petals for a milder flavour.If leaves are too strong, shred them to sprinkle on your dish.
There are people who find the taste of nasturtium to be somild that it almost knocks them over.Before starting your own journey with nasturtium, consider a taste test from a neighbors garden.
You can read our article How to Grow Nasturtium in the Vegetable Garden when you are ready to grow them on your own.
Nasturtium flowers and leaves are good for you.They have high levels of vitamins A, C and D.
After the morning dew has dried, it is a good time to harvest flowers and leaves.They will still be plump with water in the morning.The plant can become affected by heat as the day progresses and produce a stronger flavour.
After washing the leaves and flowers, pat them dry with a paper towel.If they are to be cooked, keep them in the fridge for up to three days.
Nasturtium seeds can be eaten.You have to decide if you want to eat the flower or wait for the seeds to form.You can do both if you grow enough.Young seeds can be brined to make use of them.The result is known as a poor man's capers.Only the firm young green nasturtium seeds are used for this recipe.It takes a lot of flowers to form a cup of seeds.
In our article, we show you how to grow your own herbs at home.
The leaves of nasturtium are used to make pesto.The Matt Preston recipe for this pesto is amazing in pasta, topping pizza or as a dip.
Carefully wash the flowers and pat them dry.They should be laying out on the paper towel.
The flowers should dry in 1-2 days.If you want to decorate your cake, you can remove individual flower petals.
Egg white and caster sugar can be used to coat dried nasturtium flowers.
A foamy texture can be created by whisking 1 or 2 egg whites.The foam should be gently painted onto the flower.
While the egg-white mixture is still wet on the flower, sprinkle with the sugar and place on a baking paper-lined tray to dry.
Nasturtium can be used in your garden and kitchen.Once the plant is established and happy in the garden, it will self-seed, providing new plants for your food garden every year.The attractive flower blossoms and the taste of the pepper make any plate stand out.
You can grow Nasturtium flowers and eat the leaves and seeds.
The Food Dehydrator is popular and inexpensive.nasturtium flowers are a great choice for cake decorating.
Do you want to use your garden produce in the kitchen?Try some of the other delicious recipes.
Wow!This was a lot of information.I never thought to use flowers in food.
This is a great article.Plants and flowers are natural foods that I have always been interested in.I am going to plant some of the included recipes this spring.
I've never heard of Nasturtiums.I'm anxious to try them.I will add them to my smoothie.
You might not have a green thumb yet, but that is about to change.Imagine going out to the garden and picking basil leaves to add to your pasta sauce.Are you growing your own tomatoes and lettuce to make a salad with your pasta dish?
I was excited about growing my own food.Jo is a backyard gardener who grows food.Let's get started with just a few tips.