Edible Flowers

[cookiesdaddy]

I'm a newbie gardener. My wife said there're some types of bean with edible flowers and that they're tasty. Can someone please advise what kind of flowers I can add to the salad bowl? What is your favorite? Thanks!

 

[annageckos]

Nasturtiums, violets, pansies, hibiscus and squash blossoms are all edible. I have never tried them, but I grow them for my bearded dragon to eat. Also dandelions, clover flowers and day lilies are edible.

 

[patandchickens]

AFAIK all bean flowers are edible. The only ones I've actually tried are scarlet runner bean flowers and the ones off whatever bush lima beans I grew last year. THey were nothing to write home about but could be decorative in a salad I suppose.

You know what I like? Chive flowers, you disassemble them into smaller bits (they are sort of a pompom type structure, just pull it apart) and sprinkle in salad, both tasty and attractive.

I like daylily petals too, cut up into shreds or smaller pieces, in a salad or whatever.

Some herbs also have reasonably tasty-and-attractive flowers, although not all of them taste the same as their leaves, you should definitely sample before adding stuff to a salad

Most of the other flowers I've tried eating I feel pretty "enh" about, same as the beans. But if you want to experiment, it is easy to find lists such as http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible_flowers or http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07237.html (which also includes lists of ones to avoid b/c they are poisonous)

Squash or melon flowers (any variety) are good stuffed and fried, or fried tempura-style without stuffing, but then frankly you could fry even a Kleenex tempura-style and I'd like it so I'm not sure how much that says about the flower per se LOL

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[hoodat]

Just a precaution, don't eat sweetpea flowers. everything on sweetpeas is poisonous.

 

[sparks]

hoodat...thanks for the sweet pea tip. you can never leave us. you are a great font of info!

 

[lesa]

Borage is a wonderful edible flower. They have a delicious tropical flavor. They look cute in salad, as garnish, and really cute to decorate cakes, cupcakes, etc...
I believe they are what makes my bees honey, so extraordinary...
They also self-seed and are very easy to transplant, if you don't like the location they pick.

 

[4grandbabies]

Just a precaution, don't eat sweetpea flowers. everything on sweetpeas is poisonous.

Thanks for sharing that! I did not know they were poisonous!!

 

[Carol Dee]

I just made a batch of Violet Jelly this weekend. It is so pretty and tastes good. I think I will take a photo to post later I would be glad to share the recipe.

 

[Carol Dee]

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Here is the finished product. Violet Jelly. Very easy to make. 2 cups violet tops make 12 - 4 oz jars.

 

[RustyDHart]

My mom makes Milkweed flower Jelly....pretty tasty. Bachelor Buttons, Calendulas, and some Marigolds are edible too... I think Hollyhocks are also. If anyone wants...I have a wonderful Nasturium leaf and blossom party appetizer that's most appealing and delicious..... I also candy my Violets and Pansy blossoms. I think I heard someone say that you can eat Glad blossoms too....not sure.......?????:/