Nasturtium Stars and Jewel Toned Vinegar!

 

I love to nibble on these lively colored delights...

The nasturtium is fast and easy growing (it actually likes a little neglect...my kinda flower ;). It offers a continual, generous show of delicate frilly blooms, in splashy shades of orange, yellow, red and mahogany ~ stunning and delicious!

These edible petals bring fiery color and tangy flavor to all foods they grace ~ even their  young and tender leaves are edible, lending that peppery flare where ever they go.

With summer coming to a close I was hungry to find a way to collect this sunshine~infused flower and preserve it to be able to enjoy all winter.

I was so happy to discover these wonderful ways... 

 

Nasturtium Lemon Butter

 

How about pulling one of these sweet stars out in the dead of winter and slathering some of this sunshine on your food!

 

For these stars you will need

1/2 cup unsalted butter softened

1-2 teaspoons grated lemon peel (according to taste)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons finely chopped nasturtium blossoms

(or double this recipe for plenty to share)

Mix all of the ingredients well until smooth and well blended. 

Roll out between wax paper until butter is 2-3 cm thick, chill slightly and then cut out with cookie cutters ~ what ever shape your heart desires.
To freeze: wrap each star in parchment paper and seal all stars together in freezer bag.

This butter is has a mild peppery lemon flavor with magnificent swirls of yellow, orange and red.

I also had to try...

Nasturtium Vinegar

Fill a clean glass jar or bottle with nasturtium blossoms. Pour white wine vinegar over the blossoms until it reaches the top. Tightly seal. Let sit for at least 3 weeks in warm place (out of direct sunlight) before using. Strain into a decorative bottle. (you can even place a fresh nasturtium in the finished bottle for decoration ~ making sure the vinegar always covers the flowers or they will mold). Now it is ready!
Great to gift or use in salad dressings, drizzle onto food or to add some zip where needed!

I left for the day and was so delighted to come home and see the jewel tone color that had emerged! 

~  loving those  *happy tasting* nasturtiums ~

much love

~Shanti~