Grow Your Own Magazine

I've started to pick these to add to salads. Other than using this way does anyone have any other uses for the leaves?

Many thanks

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

Could you batter them like courgette flowers? Or is that just cruel?

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Vegmonkey and the Mrs. - vegetable gardening in a small space in Cheltenham at www.vegmonkey.co.uk

No, but do try the flowers and flower buds. YUM.

Remember to evict ny of the diddy black betles first.

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I'm told that all parts of the plant are edible, but I've not tried the stem or roots yet. Anyone want to go first?

Had a bit of leaf stem yesterday and I'm still functioning. Well as best I generally do.

Unfortunately I don't have many flowers or I'd add these to the salad as well - Thanks Peter.

The ones on the lottie seem to be devoid of aphids, unlike the ones in the tub at home which are so infested they are really struggling.

My mother reminded they attract black fly - reply, yes I know that's the idea, then the blighters will leave my other plants alone. So far it is working. Plus I think the aphids are getting asphixiated by train fumes. HEE! HEE!

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

You can make the Nasturtium leaves and stems into a pesto- and a very tasty one- make in the same way as basil or rocket pesto- you can make it and freeze it in batches.
goes really well with home made spinach and ricotta caneloni....

You can "batter" the leaves, I saw this done on TV by Hannah (can't remember her surname now) at the Pot Kiln Pub. They didn't look very filling, but if you want to impress someone ..........

Thank you. Like the sound of the pesto. I have yet to find a good wheat free thin batter. I'm ok making pancakes but the thought of trying to make a tempura style thingy with non-wheat flour is a bit Yuk really.

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

why bother? Batter's not good for you anyway. Eat the leaves just as nature intended...with a dash of dressing perhaps

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

Hi Earthbabe!

I find nasturtium leaves are really great chopped up and added to egg mayonnaise sandwiches. Love the idea of nasturtium pesto too - will try this when mine have grown a bit more.

or try adding to soups to pep them up, like you would spinash, add at the last moment.

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Yo an' Bob
Walk lightly on the earth
take only what you need
give all you can
and your produce will be bountifull

I suppose if I can use them like spinach I could try for a nasturtium leaf bhaji or dhal!

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

I found this recipe in a 1930s cookbook(Farmers Weekly) and I quote-
1quart pressed nastursium flowers
1 quart vinegar
8 shallots,well bruised
6 cloves
1 teaspoonful salt
half level teaspoon cayenne pepper
A little Indian soy

Simmer all exept flowers together for 10 minutes,then pour over the flowers.Cover closely for 2 months.Strain and pour into bottles,adding a little Indian soy before corking securely.

(I assume the "cloves"are garlic) I have never tried this,but will,in smaller quantities,using flowers in one batch and leaves in another.

I suspect the cloves are actually cloves - the sort you add (ground up) to Christmas cakes, mincemeat etc. Very spicy!

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Only problem with nasturtium flowers in salads is that the end result looks too pretty to eat!

mmm flower salad

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Yo an' Bob
Walk lightly on the earth
take only what you need
give all you can
and your produce will be bountifull

Then I shall have to make four batches,two with garlic and two with cloves and wait and see!

If it says cloves why would you want to try anything other than cloves?

I dont know why but I just assumed they meant garlic cloves though now I think about it cloves is probably what they meant. Anyway,I will still try both and see what comes of it.

Ok I have some ideas for using leaves and things. Has anyone got a recipe for pickling the seeds or do I just pickle as I would anything else. Do I need to salt first or brine?

Any recommendations for spices to use?

Thanks all.

I'll probably have some left for sowing and growing for next year - at least I hope so.

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

Nasturtiums are v.high in Vit C, so v.good for guinea pigs which, like us, can't manufacture their own. There, bet you didn't know you were related to a guinea pig!

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

all mine have now gone to the place plants go after being eaten by the black fly.
hum
i supose that is why i planted them.

__________________
Yo an' Bob
Walk lightly on the earth
take only what you need
give all you can
and your produce will be bountifull