Edible Flowers. Nature You Can Eat.

By Taffi Chandler "arasmom"
Administrator- www.TheBudgetQueen.com
May 12, 2010

I've been thinking some of my thinks lately, and that always seems to get me in trouble. Not that thinking is really bad-but when it gets like this-it always leads to some adventure. Today, it's edible flowers.

Maybe it's because the flower festival (Festival des Fleur) is this weekend or maybe it's because it’s spring time or maybe I've just been bored with my salads...whatever the case-it's edible flowers on my mind. I admittedly already own a book on edible flowers. I rediscovered it while unpacking my books the other day. I recall looking at the pictures of the flowers mixed into very innocent and unsuspecting food; food that had been invaded by something so wild yet delicate. The carefully crafted photographs depicted beautiful petals adorning the plates-each little flower reminded me of a pageant contestant sailing through the competition on beauty alone-and then, well, then comes the question and answer segment. You know what happens then…you’re in the audience and think-oh, this could be really good or this could be very, very bad. You stare in silence and feel the anticipation-nervousness and confidence all at the same time. You just don’t know what could happen. When the moment of truth finally arrives-sometimes you know that’s the end of the road-but you root for them all the same-‘cause they are beautiful.

I mean, when you ask someone what's for dinner, you don’t expect to hear “flowers”. And you certainly don’t expect for them to step outside and harvest them from the garden at that moment either. In an alternate universe, perhaps, but definitely not in your backyard.

Why not? Be a little spontaneous! I’d venture to say many of us are past the “let’s do donuts in the parking lot” stage. So live a little. It’s a flower. Taste it. Or you’re lame.

Don’t try to get away with the fried squash blossoms. That’s so last year.

The new trend (that was created by me, just now, after the word “now”) is a little more-dare I say-daring.

Plant a flower in your garden this year that is edible. Refrain from using pesticides or other chemicals on the flowers that you plan to eat. Make sure to do your research, and know the exact flower and flower part that is edible. Educate yourself and learn all you can about the flower or flowers you’ve chosen and then, use your culinary skills to create something fantastic.

Sometimes it’s as simple as knowing what you need to know and having the confidence to go for it. Then you win the crown.