From Medicinal Benefits to Garnishing a Favorite Recipe, Try This Edible Flower Nasturtium!
Summer traditions such as outdoor grilling can be fun and delightful, especially when you are spicing up your signature recipes with your very own garden grown edible flowers! Sourcing from the following resources: Flowerpaedia (2018), authored by environmental artist and floral specialist Cheralyn Darcey, Encyclopedia Britannica, britannica.com (sourced in 2020), and 100 Edible + Healing Flowers: Cultivating, Cooking, Restoring Health, (2014) authored by herbalist and arborist, Margaret Roberts, check out a tasty recipe for a grilled aubergine salad with eggs and nasturtium flowers by Margaret Roberts! This recipe can be featured in your next grilling dish.
As a friendly disclaimer, it is best to seek additional information from your medical care provider before adding any plant to your diet.
Nasturtium Anatomy + Origins
Nasturtium flowers, (Tropaeolum majus) also known as Indian Cress, are native to Mexico, Central America, and Southern America. These delightful flowers can grow up to 8-12 feet tall and the flowers are yellow or orange with distinctive red spots or stripes.
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Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) represents I believe you can succeed, I support you, let's have fun, creative freedom, vitality, fun challenges, independence, over-thinking, jest. - Flowerpaedia (2018)
Nasturtium Medicinal Benefits
As a floral staple within the latin community in the South American regions, these flowers are high in vitamin C and are treasured in medicinal, cosmetic, and cooking recipes for their natural antibiotics. Historically and medicinally, Nasturtium flowers have been used to treat bladder and kidney ailments, coughs and flu, and sore throats. Culturally praised in South America, this flower is also utilized for blood disorders.
Grilled Aubergine Nasturtium Salad
This salad is great when paired with various grilled meats, like classic hamburgers. Margaret Roberts' signature nasturtium flower recipe is perfect for grilled recipes all summer long!
Ingredients (4 Servings)
2 medium-sized aubergines, stalks removed and sliced thinly lengthways
1/2 cup olive oil
2 green peppers, thinly sliced lengthways
6 hard boiled eggs, shelled
Sea salt and black pepper
8 anchovy fillets, chopped
Lemon juice
1 cup nasturtium flowers
8spring onions, split in half lengthways
Olive Oil
Balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
Recipe (4 Servings)
Brush the aubergines with a little olive oil and place them under the grill for about 10 minutes. Add the green peppers and dry-grill them, turning until they are charred all over. Slice the hard-boiled eggs in half and sprinkle them with crushed sea salt, black pepper and the chopped anchovy fillets. Place the peppers in a plastic bag to sweat, and when there are cool, remove the skins. Squeeze a little lemon juice over the avocado to prevent it from turning brown. Arrange all the ingredients on a large platter and tuck in the nasturtium flowers and spring onions. Drizzle with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. For alternative dressing, combine two tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of chopped pickled nasturtium seeds in a screw-top jar. Shake well and pour over the salad just before serving.
Enjoy! - OXO
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Sources For This Article
Author - Naia Geni | Floral Designer | Senior Editor | @naiageni
Flowerpaedia (2018) | Cheralyn Darcey
Additional Sources For This Article
Please review the CDC for more information about COVID-19.
From medicinal health benefits to amazing super delicious flower recipes, edible flowers are one of the most underrated ingredients growing within our very own garden. For instance, one popular edible flower is elderflower, a small yet powerfully healthy edible flower that packs a ton of nutrients. These flowers are antiviral herbs that can help to reduce fevers, flu, and earaches and can boost the overall immune system. Elderflower also stimulates circulation and sweat glands for proper detoxification; this side effect aids in arthritis and skin conditions such as blisters and cold sores.
Be sure to learn more about this edible flower, elderflower! Read More
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