Nasturtium
Culinary Use, Storage, & Benefits
Vegetable Profile: Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Description
This delightful plant has edible leaves and flowers with a light, peppery flavor similar to mustard or watercress. The flowers come in a wide variety of colors, from peach to burgundy to yellow to white and all combinations between. The leaves are circular, giving them a wonderful lily-pad like appearance. They are easy to grow, and thrive in well drained soil with full-sun to part-shade.
Nutrition
Nasturtium flowers and leaves are a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants. They help to stimulate appetite and improve digestion.
Storage
Flowers are delicate, and should be used within 2-3 days and kept in the fridge in a water-tight container until then. Leaves are a bit more sturdy and will keep 4-5 days.
Use
For best flavor and enjoyment of their beauty, use them raw in lettuce salads, sandwiches, appetizers, egg or potato salad, or even freeze them in ice cubes for a fun cocktail feature.
Sources:
SpecialtyProduce.com
The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia by Rebecca Wood
Asparagus to Zucchini by Fairshare Coalition
Produce: A fruit and vegetable lover’s guide by Bruce Beck
Our own experience!
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Tropaeolum majus
VARIETY:
"Jewel Mix". Attractive, sunny mix of yellow, orange, rose and crimson flowers. Delicate lily pad-like leaves give it a unique beauty. Edible flowers and foliage are a gourmet treat with flavor reminiscent of peppery watercress. Perfect for hanging baskets, containers or in the garden. Mounded habit. Vines grow to 10' long. Edible flowers and foliage. Annual. Sold in singles.
POLLINATORS:
Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies will be attracted to nasturtium flowers.
CULTURE:
Sun/Part Shade. Well-drained, but not especially rich soil. High nitrogen levels promote more foliage than flower production. 8-12" tall. Thin to 3-5 plants in hanging baskets or 10" containers.
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