Edible Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are flowers that are edible. Isn't this a lovely way to use your nasturtiums? Right now is a great time to make these ice cubes up for use at a party later. Just imagine these ice cubes floating in a beverage dispenser. The two varieties of nasturtiums I planted this spring, had a variety of yellow, orange, and red colored blossoms. They are loaded right now!
The ice cubes look crystal clear when you use distilled water. I made pansy viola ice cubes earlier this summer and tried using regular bottled water. Nope, that did not work so well. Do not use that. It made a foggier ice cube. I also used a smaller ice cube tray and they melted pretty quickly. I found this ice cube tray at HomeGoods. Each little cell is a two-inch square. The cubes last much longer and the nasturtium blossoms fit in the squares nicely.
To make the ice cubes, pour about a quarter to a half-inch of distilled water into each of the little square cells. Place the blossom face down and freeze for about an hour. Remove the tray from the freezer and fill each cell to the top. (If you fill the cells with water before the half-inch of water is frozen, the flowers will not be held and float to the top.)
Once the ice cubes are completely frozen, they can be stored in a Ziploc freezer bag in the freezer for use later. The nasturtiums will flavor your water or beverage slightly after the ice cubes melt. Adding sugar or sugar syrup will make a better flavor. If you are adding them to presweetened beverages that won't be a concern.
Nasturtium flowers are so beautiful and the leaves are so unique! Last year was the first year I planted them in my garden. This year, I planted two packs of nasturtium seeds. Next year I may plant more! In some places, they may come back each year, but not here in the Northern Kentucky area. To hasten the germination in the spring, this year I soaked the seeds in water overnight and then planted them as usual. The seeds are rather hard and I do think they germinated more quickly.
The nasturtium salad looks so beautiful and the pungent smell released when you are making the vinaigrette is amazing. The vinaigrette and the flowers look and taste wonderful on top of a mixed baby greens salad. Since I had never eaten nasturtiums before, I was not sure what flavor to expect. I was so pleasantly rewarded by a wonderful peppery flavor. You simply must try it! You can find the recipe here ►Nasturtium Vinaigrette.
It's funny, we never grew nasturtiums when I was growing up in Indiana. Perhaps it was because we grew more vegetables than flowers. Having food on the table was more of a priority over growing flowers just for their beauty. Yes, we did have flowers, but not like we have at our home today.
We are pretty blessed to be able to grow and appreciate all the beautiful flowers in our gardens and the nasturtium is quickly becoming one of my all time favorites! And an added bonus is nasturtium flowers and leaves are totally edible!
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