Page 7 - North Haven Magazine Issue 24 Summer 2022

Marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia, Tagetes lucida): Only a few mari- Petals have a sweet, earthy flavor that is good in homemade butter,
golds are tasty to use as an edible. The Signet varieties “Lemon syrups, honey, drinks, jelly, and ice cream. They are beautiful on
Gem” and “Tangerine Gem,” and the Mexican mint (Tagetes lu- cakes and salads.
cida) are recommended. The flavor is floral with a touch of citrus
and pepper. Drinks can be garnished with flowers frozen in ice
cubes, and they can decorate salads and egg dishes.

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum spp.): Nasturtiums are popular edible
flowers but also a good companion flower for your gardens as they
repel many insects. The flowers, leaves, and seeds are edible and
provide a peppery flavor. The seed pods can be pickled as an al-
ternative to capers. Nasturtiums work well in homemade butter,
infused vinegar, sandwich spreads, and as a garnish for soups and
salads. This plant provides a beautiful way to boost your nutrients
such as vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Eat-
ing a couple of leaves a day is said to help clear acne.
Squash (Cucurbitaceae family): It is the male squash flower that
is used for eating, so you need to recognize the difference between
them. The male flowers appear earlier, have long, skinny stems
and are farther from the base of the plant. When picking flowers,
be sure to leave some male flowers or you will not get any squash
to eat! Pick the male flowers in the early morning with their long
stems when in full blossom. Remove the inner parts of the flower
and rinse just before cooking, The flavor is mild, similar to the
squash. They can be fried or stuffed and baked.

There are many more flowers that can be used in the kitchen, so
Pink rose cocktails are refreshing and fun! take a look on the Internet to explore more options. Remember
the importance of using plant material that is grown organically. If
Rose (Rosa spp.): Roses are a special favorite but exercise caution you grow your own, you will have complete control over this. It is
to assure they have not been subjected to any pesticides, etc. Heir- fun to have an edible flower patch in your own yard. You will have
loom and rugosa roses are the most flavorful and fragrant. The quick access to fresh flowers when you want a beautiful garnish or
white part of the petal is bitter, so it is best to remove that part. to add some special flavor.

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