Exotic Vegetables: Celebrating the Joys of Flowers That Are Beautiful and Edible

Can you go into your garden and pick flowers to enjoy for a meal?

When I was little we used to suck the nectar from the hibiscus flowers that grew in my mom’s garden. When I grew up I learned that there are lots and lots of different edible flowers.

FUN FACT: “Edible flowers are considered vegetables …” (Source: Edible Flowers: Are They Vegetables? | Earth Undaunted)

The first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared in February 1966. Since then, the magazine has only grown in its popularity and not just for the people who live in the South (Southern United States). The magazine has published wonderful articles about the home, travel and food for over 50 years. I found this wonderful article in Southern Living Magazine. It starts off with the statement “Cooking with edible flowers is back.”

(I thought to myself: ‘What do you mean back? (O.o) I have never cooked with edible flowers!’)

In the Southern Living magazine article hibiscus in on the list of the 10 Best Edible Flowers (link to archived article copy). What have I missed? LOL. 😊

• The names of the flowers mentioned in this article are: borage blossoms, calendula, zucchini blossoms, hibiscus, lavender, sage flowers, roses, pansies, violets, and nasturtiums. That last one called “nasturtiums” sounds so exotic. It looks exotic too! In the image provided that dish is called beef carpaccio. I’ll eat the flowers. But not the beef. Why? Because … uummm … “Carpaccio (pronounced “car-PAH-chee-oh”) is a traditional Italian appetizer consisting of raw beef sliced paper-thin, drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice, and finished with capers and onions.” ~ (Quote Source: What Is Carpaccio?)

When I was a kid growing up in Miami, Florida, we had hibiscus flowers in our front yard. We would pick them, rip them apart and I enjoyed sucking the nectar from stem. I never ate the petals because I didn’t know they were edible. But now I know hibiscus are not just edible you can brew a tea with them and drink it!

Yeah. Uuummm …. No! Sorry. I know eating raw beef doesn’t bother some people but … I like my meat cooked, well-done. I don’t have gourmet taste buds. 😊

The image below is a photo of a marigold calendula. Calendula is known as the “Mary’s gold or Scotch marigold” and it can be used in a recipe for deviled eggs. In fact, in the article where I found the deviled eggs recipe, there is a list of common edible flowers that can be used: “Arugula, Bachelor’s Buttons, Basil Blossom, Borage, Buzz Button, Calendula, Carnation, Camelia, Chive, Blossom, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Daylily, Garlic Blossom, Hibiscus, Hollyhock, Lavender, Lilac, Marigold, Nasturtium, Orchid, Pansy, Peony, Rose, Snapdragon, Squash Blossom, Violet, and Viola”. Who knew?

For me, the thing is … flowers are so pretty you don’t really want to eat them. Do you?

But it’s good that you can. It’s one of those things you need to know if you ever get stranded on a desert island and you’re not that good at catching fish or hunting for your food (like me). Eating a flower could sustain you until you get rescued. 😊

Also, for me, it’s just a personal thing; but I think edible flowers should only be used for weddings or anniversary celebrations.

How often do you create dishes or drinks using edible flowers?

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Related Links:

Tips for Using Edible Flowers on Cake — A Beautiful Mess

10 Edible Flower Salads That Are Way Too Pretty to Eat | Spoon University

Recipe Box: Edible Flower Popsicles — Lauren Conrad

The Ten Best Edible Flowers to Grow in Your Garden

30 Edible Flowers You Can Eat Right Out Of Your Garden

Garden Guides | The History of Edible Flowers

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Thanks for reading.