Are you looking for a garden plant that is low maintenance, has eye-catching blooms, and can be harvested all summer for fun new recipes? Look no farther! Pretty much the entire plant is edible with crunchy, peppery leaves and booms!
How to Grow:
Nasturtium is a plant for gardeners of all levels. It is actually described as thriving growing in poor or unfertilized soil. These low-quality soil conditions will produce more blooms in red, yellow, and orange, whereas higher quality soil will produce large and plentiful leaves. Blooms begin in early summer and continue for weeks depending on climate. Leaves do grow larger in part-shade but the plant is tolerant of varying light exposure. They will thrive in pots, and that helps keep them safe from pests. Basically, it will grow anywhere!
How to Eat:
The leaves can be enjoyed all summer in salads or with other greens. Most recipes instruct that leaves need to be added to boiling water for about 10 seconds before use. Leaves are an excellent alternative to using basil in a homemade pesto recipe, an arugula substitute in your salads, or topping a sandwich like lettuce does. Their warm, peppery flavor is balanced with a hint of mustard. The seed pods can be used like capers, or ground into a peppery spice, and are wonderful when pickled (which I haven’t tried yet!). The bloom is more reminiscent of a sweet mustard in taste. Blooms can be picked fresh and stuffed with soft fillings like goat cheese or guacamole to make a beautiful party snack. Blooms also add a vibrant and exotic quality as garnishments on sweets or go great tossed in a tasty salad along side your greens. They are an easy way to dress-up any summer meal.
The Healthy Part:
Besides being easy to work with, Nasturtiums are a winner when it comes to nutrition. This member of the Brassica family hails from South America where it is known for treating respiratory illnesses and infections. When this plant is consumed the body benefits from high levels of vitamin C, iron, and manganese. Specifically, the plant leaves contain natural antibiotic properties, which are more potent in younger leaves. Eating the plant blooms can help with boosting beta carotene.
Any herbalist would recognize Nasturtium as food-medicine, and I also highly recommend growing it for fun in your garden. Start them from seed in the spring or find them at a nursery for easy planting. You can’t go wrong with an edible, medicinal, and beautiful plant you can enjoy on your own patio!
–Lorraine Glenn, LAc
