5 Edible Flowers

You don’t have to resort to eating out at fine establishments to enjoy the look and flavors of flowers, in fact using them in your cooking is something you can do at home. Using flowers in your cooking is fun and flavorful. Adorning your carefully prepared dishes with flowers is easy as long as you know what you are looking for. If you are unsure about where to begin, take a peek below at 5 edible flowers you can start enjoying this spring and summer.

5 Edible Flowers

1. Allium
Allium flowers are part of the onion family and can be used in salads, marinades, or for garnish. They come in a variety of colors such as pale pinks, white, and purples, so they give you a variety of shades to work with as well. They carry an onion flavor, making them perfect for savory dishes.

2. Marigolds
Want to add some dashing flavor to your dishes? Just pick a few marigolds. They are bright in color and come in shades such as orange and yellow. Marigolds have a spicier flavor, so they are perfect in savory salads and for dips and dressings. Here are more ways to use marigolds.

3. Fennel
If you like the taste of licorice, you will love fennel flowers. They come in a variety of hues but mostly yellow and cream colored. They make perfect additions to your desserts and sweeter flavored salads and dressings.

4. Lilacs
You may think lilacs have a strong scent, but their flavor is quite mild and similar to that of citrus. Add lilacs to your desserts as a garnish, toss them in salads, or make vinaigrettes out of the blooms as well. If a dish can benefit from a citrus flavor, lilacs are the best choice! Here are more uses for lilacs.

5. Squash blossoms
Yellow and cheerful, squash blossoms can be used in your salads as a garnish, or stuffed with salad themselves. Stuff blossoms with chicken or tuna salad for a fun spin on brunch. You can also give the blossoms an egg wash and fry them for some crunchy fun. Here are some tips for growing summer squash.

You don’t have to go far to find edible blooms such as these. These are all common plants that can be found at your local gardening center for a reasonable price. So give them a try and enjoy the taste of these flavors just as much as you enjoy the scent and look!