Edible Herbal Flowers for spring and summer salads – plus a fun frozen project for the kids!
Above picture nasturtium flower on salad- get recipe here.
Fresh herbs add a nice touch to any salad. But did you know that many herbs have edible blooms? Thyme, for instance, is a very fragrant and versatile herb, but when you harvest the flower, you’ll add an extra touch and you can also make a tasty sauce or dressing.
*Thyme flower syrup is also medicinal- great for children! Learn more by listening to my free mp3 course, included recipes!
Above- nasturtium and basil Greek theme salad
If you plant basil, fennel, and cilantro, you may want to gather the flowers. Go ahead and experiment in your favorite salads and other dishes. Nasturtium is one of my favorites (pictured above) and the leaves are also delicious.
Rosemary flowers, pictured above- edible
Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs- and yes I do use it for just about everything including food:)
With a patch of dill you’ll have plenty to experiment with. Harvest the yellow tops as they appear, but before you see the seeds form. Sprinkle on your green salad or use in a creamy yogurt dressing. Dill is the perfect flowering herb to add freshness to any salad.
Above: Bee on oregano- flowers are edible- try these with a Mediterranean theme salad or dish, delicious!
Onion, chive or garlic bulb blossoms are not only beautiful, but are wonderful to eat. Designate a little patch of these plants to flower, and enjoy a delicious surprise in your salad.
Above picture blue violates
Fun Spring project with your children:
Edible flower ice cubes with the kids!
Supplies:
- Ice Cube Tray
- Glass Bowl
- Hibiscus Tea (makes the cubes have a beautiful red color and nice tangy flavor) sweetened with stevia herb
- Fruit of choice (kiwi in this cube),
- Edible flowers of choice -we used the first spring violets and johnny jump ups from our yard (please be sure they have not been sprayed and they are not too close to the road).
- Sticks for pops if you want to make Popsicle.
Directions:
Let the your child (or children) stir the tea in a clear glass bowl- let cool (in a clear glass bowl they can watch the color change to vibrant red when hibiscus tea is used). When the tea is room temp, pour the tea into the trays- your child can add the flowers that you harvested and the fruit to the ice cube tray. Place the tray in the freezer until frozen.
Fun! We made these when the first violets and johnny jump ups appeared in our yard, when the first sunny warm day appeared (about a week later) we had our fun ice cubes ready! Add Popsicle sticks and they can be eaten alone, or just add to water to the cubes- the flavor of the tea will infuse the water- delicious!
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