I may have a new love in my garden; love for it’s whimsy and hardiness as well as a gentle sweet scent. It is said that wherever they have been introduced, these plants have quickly become a firm favorite because of their medicinal and culinary uses: nasturtium.
The nasturtium adds just the right amount of color and diversity to any garden. Nasturtiums will repel a wide range of harmful insects and make an excellent companion plant when planted in between rows of vegetables such as cabbages, squash and broad beans to keep pests, (it is said to repel whitefly, aphids and ants – I will need to observe my garden further to confirm this statement). I just like to see them in my garden, it appears it has made everything else growing around them healthier.
Nasturtium leaves have a high concentration of Vitamin C and are also a natural antibiotic. Eating a couple of the peppery leaves at the onset of a cold can stop it dead in its tracks. The gentle antibiotic reaction makes it ideal for treating minor colds and flu.
I enjoy my home grown Nasturtiums by adding the flowers and leaves to salads. They give a delicious peppery tang to the the salad as well as a burst of color. You can also dry them to use as herb teas during the winter.
Another delicious way to eat nasturtium flowers is stuffed… they compliment any dish.
Ingredients:
12 nasturtium petals (whole flowers)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 garlic clove, minced fine
1/2 tablespoon fresh chives
salt and pepper (optional)
Directions: Make sure flowers are clean and dry. Pick as close to serving time as possible. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Mix cream cheese thoroughly with herbs. Season to taste. Place 1 teaspoon of mixture in center of flower. Pull petals upwards to cover the cheese, press lightly into cheese to stick. This makes 4 servings, 4 stuffed flowers per person
Harvesting:
Pick fresh leaves and flowers throughout the year,
Pick the seed pods just before they loose their green color (for pickling in vinegar)
Daisy Says: Make your next best friend a nasturtium, they will awaken all your senses.
