Casting Nasturtiums
October 17th 2008 10:42
In terms of thrifty gardening, nasturtiums shine. Quick to grow, with masses of flowers and culinary uses, I think nasturtiums are vastly underrated.
Whenever I plant the seeds, I always overdo it and end up with a tangled jungle bursting with blooms. As a child, my mother planted them to cover rockeries, and I think that's why I gravitate toward them. So, when I noticed our local gallery was exhibiting The Botanical Art of Anne O'Connor with a display of nasturtiums on the flyer, I had to go along (with toddler in tow). Anne's work was lovely to see because most of her subjects grow in our neighbourhood gardens - agapanthus, camelias, rhododendrons and of course nasturtiums. So naturally, I came away with these two prints which I now have to find frames (and wall space) for:
During their blooming season, which seems to go on and on, I keep a standard arrangement (see above) in a jug on my kitchen table - parsley, mint and nasturtiums. (I notice that the children have been picking at and eating these arrangements lately.) The nasturtiums came from this patch, which was a bald piece of earth this time last year and is really starting to take shape as an aromatic cottage garden.
This year, inspired by this salad image, I intend to branch out and explore the culinary uses.
Here's a recipe for Centrefold Nasturtium Salad that I might have a shot at and I'd like to try pickling the flower seed heads to make 'capers' - so I'll try this . And how about some Nasturtium Lemon Butter? Endless possibilites. I'm off to pick a bunch.
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