Do you know about the Flowers that are Vegetables? Read on to learn more about these Flowers you can Cook.
Well, many veggies are flowers, and these edible parts of the plants can be eaten raw or cooked. Check out the list of Flowers that are Vegetables, some of which may surprise you.
Check out some tasty edible weeds here
Flowers that are Vegetables
1. Drumstick Tree Flowers
Botanical Name: Moringa oleifera
The mildly fragrant flowers of the moringa tree are very nutritious and great for dressing up salads and adding colors and a subtle scent to any dish! As they have a mild flavor, they gel up with everything.
Learn all about growing Moringa tree here
2. Mustard Flowers
Botanical Name: Brassica nigra
The key to eating mustard flowers lies in the fact that they taste the best when they are young. Pick them when they are tender and add them to salads.
Check out some amazing mustard cake uses in the garden here
3. Romanesco Broccoli
Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea ‘Romanesco’
Romanesco Broccoli is actually a plant’s flower head, making it one of the quirkiest and healthiest veggies around! It tastes great in salads after stir-frying.
Here’s all you need to know about growing Romanesco Broccoli
4. Artichoke
Botanical Name: Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
People prefer to eat it raw, mainly in Spain, Italy, Egypt, and Argentina. You can include it in casserole dishes and pasta to enjoy its best flavor.
Learn about growing artichokes in pots here
5. Cauliflower
Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Cauliflower, as the name suggests, is a flower of the plant. It tastes great after sautéing and people also consume it in curry form in Asian countries.
Want to grow cauliflower in containers? Click here
6. Broccoli
Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. italica
Broccoli is a green veggie that is a flower from the Brassicaceae family with edible blooms and stalks. It is rich in nutrients but low on calories, eaten as a side dish or raw in salads.
Learn how to grow broccoli sprouts here
7. Lotus
Botanical Name: Nelumbo nucifera
Lotus flower stems are eaten as vegetables. With a flavor similar to honeydew melon or cucumber, some people also describe the taste as floral.
8. Vegetable Hummingbird
Botanical Name: Sesbania grandiflora
Also popular as the West Indian pea, its flowers and young pods are consumed as veggies. The closed flowers are called Dok Kae in Thailand and are used in stews, soups, and salads.
9. Capers
Botanical Name: Capparis spinosa
Capers are the immature flower buds of the caper bush, extensively used in Mediterranean dishes with their lemony, salty flavor.
10. Rose
Botanical Name: Rosa
Apart from rendering a splendid fragrance, roses are used in beverages, salads, soups, and creamy sauces. However, ensure to remove the bitter white base.
Check out the 24 edible flowers for cakes and garnishing here!
Flowers You Can Cook
11. Butterfly Pea
Botanical Name: Clitoria ternatea
You can eat the blossoms raw or dip them in batter and fry. They are also used to add colors to rice dishes and in teas.
12. Nasturtiums
Botanical Name: Tropaeolum
Nasturtiums, with their interesting peppery flavor and subtle floral hint, can be a great addition to salads. They also taste delicious in cold-cut sandwiches.
Learn about growing nasturtium in containers here
13. Arugula, Mustard, Rapini Flowers
Other edible flowers are mustard, arugula, and rapini. Use these blooms in pesto, a bowl of salad, or garnish pasta or pizza.
14. Borage
Botanical Name: Borago officinalis
You can enjoy these dainty blue blossoms that taste like cucumbers in a salad bowl or soup or use them as a creamy spread.
15. Violas
Botanical Name: Viola
This family of flowers can be eaten and cooked, including pansies, violets, and johnny-jump-ups. Use the flowers in a salad, add to soups, or use them to garnish any dish.
16. Dandelions
Botanical Name: Taraxacum
You can ferment or pickle the buds for a caper alternative, chop the blooms into a quiche, or batter and deep fry.
17. Squash Blossoms
Botanical Name: Cucurbita
Another flower that you can eat is the squash blossom. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy it:
- Chiffonade them up for a bowl of salad
- Bake, stuff, or steam these flowers for a leaner option
- Munch on them fresh and raw
- Add to a quesadilla stuffing
- Chop and add to the dumplings as stuffings
- Use them in thick soup
- Dip them in cheese and herbs, batter, and deep fry
Find out the best squash varieties to grow here
18. Okra Flowers
Botanical Name: Abelmoschus esculentus
With a flavor similar to asparagus, you can add them to your salad, batter, and fry or use them in other cooked dishes.
Learn about growing okra in pots here
19. Runner Bean Flowers
Botanical Name: Phaseolus coccineus
You can use the redd-orange edible flowers in salads, or steam, bake, sautee, and boil them to enjoy the bean-like taste.
Find out the best bean varieties here
20. Banana Flowers
Botanical Name: Musa
You can cook the flowers of bananas as they are an edible delicacy. Like tofu or jackfruit, they taste neutral and can take on the flavor of however you like to season them.
