A great number of people know what nasturtiums are, and think of them as a beautiful flower that befits the garden. Fewer realize that it is also a wonderful addition to te dinner table, especially in salads.

Nasturtiums are very easy to grow. They grown in almost any soil that is watered adequately, and put forth a profusion of blooms in various colors; pink, red, white, yellow, blue. Planted around the borders of a garden, they add a delightful splash of color. But their usefulness doesn't end there.

Nasturtiums are very edible. The leaves, flowers, and stems have a mild peppery flavor that is wonderful in green salads, and when the flowers are used, they also add color to the salad. A few raw leaves go very well with fish, and to add to a salad, simply take a couple dozen leaves and mix them in with the lettuce and other salad makings. While widely used in Europe, people in the US more rarely eat this very delicious plant. However, in Oregon some time back (I don't know about now), people were allowed to purchase nasturtiums on food stamps, just as they would be able to purchase vegetable seeds, so apparently it isn't a very closely guarded secret that they are so good to eat.

The blooms can even be batter fried for a delightful little snack.

Nasturtiums are very closely related to Water Cress and can be used in the same way. The flavor is similar, though somewhat milder in garden nasturtiums.

For a super taste treat in your salads, try growing some nasturtiums and enjoy both the flowers, and the flavor!

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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