Eat Your Roses. Denise Schreiber

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СКАЧАТЬ the petal because it is usually very bitter. You can simply pinch it off with your fingernail or use a pair of scissors. You should also remove the stamens and pistil from the flower. That is the center part of the flower.

       For fresh use

      If you are going to use them fresh, place them in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel and keep them in the refrigerator until ready to use. You can prepare most flowers up to two days ahead of time. Don’t over-fill the bag so as not to crush the petals.

       For drying

      If you are drying them for future use, allow them to dry naturally on a paper towel or a paper plate. It will take a few days for them to dry completely depending on humidity. A dark, cool, airy place works well for drying the petals. Flower petals that are thick, like roses, will take longer to dry properly than, say, bee balm. If drying a whole stem such as lavender, hanging it upside down helps it dry faster. You can also dry bundles of lavender by simply taking a rubber band and wrapping the stems several times then hanging them from a piece of string pulled across a doorway, or on a folding laundry rack. Just attach with a clothespin.

      All flowers dry darker than the original color so remember that reds and purples will be dark red/purple to almost black. Yellows, oranges and pinks retain the best color. You should store your dried flowers in tightly lidded glass jars and away from light and heat since that will destroy the delicate flavors.

       EDIBLE FLOWERS

       EDIBLE FLOWERS

ANISE HYSSOP

       (Agastache foeniculum)

       DESCRIPTION

      Sometimes called licorice mint, this is a wonderful herb with a licorice scent, both the leaves and the flowers. The individual flowers are a bluish purple on a tall flower stem. Anise hyssop grows in most parts of the United States in full sun or partial shade. Average, well-drained soil is the ideal place for anise hyssop to thrive in the garden.

       SENSE APPEAL

      The primary sense appeal is that its fragrance is close to that of anise – a mild licorice flavor, more anise than black licorice.

       USES

      Anise hyssop can be used as a substitution many times in a recipe. For a creamy licorice flavor in whipping cream, use the leaves and flowers instead of anise. For use in a cake recipe, use the flowers, chopped fine. The flowers are lovely candied for baked good decorations. See recipe for Anise Hyssop Syrup on p. 83.

       Anise Hyssop

       BE AWARE THAT…

      If you are pregnant, be sure to research possible contraindications to using this herb.

APPLE BLOSSOM

       (Malus hybrid)

       DESCRIPTION

      An apple tree in full blossom is a joy to behold. But unless there is an apple tree growing near you, you are not likely to encounter their lovely pink and white flowers. Depending on the variety of tree and your local climate zone, blossoms (and later, apples) will appear in late spring or summer, or early fall. Before you decide to plant an apple tree of your own, check with your local extension agent to see which varieties of apples do well in your area. A good, well-drained but moist soil is ideal. Full sun is necessary for adequate flower and fruit production.

       SENSE APPEAL

      Apple blossoms have a faint apple/floral scent to them. The fresh beauty of a spray of apple blossoms is reason enough to bring them inside.

       Apple Blossom

       USES

      You can float apple blossoms in punch, crystallize them or sprinkle them over a spring salad for color and a subtle floral scent.

ARTICHOKE

       (Cynara scolymus)

       DESCRIPTION

      These tall aliens of the garden thrive in almost all gardens. They need a pH of about 5.6 to 7.0 for a good crop. In milder climates, they can be considered a perennial vegetable. The part we eat is technically a bud. When the bud matures it opens to a purple flower, but the fully opened flower isn’t considered edible because of a lack of flavor.

       SENSE APPEAL

      Artichokes have their own unique flavor. Nothing else tastes quite like them. As a pleasant bonus, if you have a sip of water after a bite of artichoke your mouth will experience a lovely sweet sensation.

       Field of Artichokes

       USES

      You can add a dipping sauce such as Hollandaise, clarified butter or whatever your heart desires. Whole artichokes can be stuffed with any number of tasty fillings, and their hearts can be pickled or marinated in Italian dressing. See recipe for Artichoke Chicken Salad with Jasmine Rice on p. 65.

BACHELOR BUTTON

       (Centaurea cyanus)

       DESCRIPTION

      Also known as cornflower, bachelor button is most commonly seen as a blue flower, but there are other cultivars whose flowers are white, pink, lavender and even dark maroon. This is a very easy annual to grow. Practically pest free, these plants can be between 1 to 3 feet tall in the garden, so plant them in the back where they will provide a perfect foil for annuals and perennials, and their colorful flowers will stand up singly above the foliage.

       SENSE APPEAL

      Bachelor button has a light, sweet fragrance with a sweet, pleasantly spicy taste.

       Bachelor Button

       USES

      The СКАЧАТЬ