Nasturtiums

[Jenise]

Do you grow and use nasturtiums in your cooking? I grow some every year. Love the leaves in salads, and I've soaked flowers white wine vinegar to make a peppery version of same. Here's a recipe for an emulsified sauce to pour over grilled corn on the cob by my friend Jay Blackinton (a recent Food & Wine Best New Chef). My nasturtiums haven't died back yet, so if I can still get the corn it's not too late for me to try this.

4 ounces nasturtium leaves
2 tblsp Dijon mustard
2 tblsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 c grapeseed oil

Buzz the above in a good processor or blender then pour over corn, husked and brushed with butter before charring. Salt optional (the mustard will bring a lot of salt).

Jenise, we planted nasturtiums once, about ten years ago. They stilll appear all over the place every year! I use the leaves and petals for a peppery hit in salads. I’ve also put up some “poor man’s capers” ie pickled seeds, which, whilst not really so much like capers are good to fling around in dishes where a little vinegary, spicy crunch is a good thing.
That sauce sounds interesting I’ll give a try when corn is good.

Every now and then I catch Rachael Ray because she has a guest on that I want to see. I often see her use fresh flowers (which she has delivered every week) as a garnish over a dish she prepares. It makes the dish look very pretty. I used to plant edible flowers, but do not do it anymore. I have never seen them offered in any of our local grocery stores, either. The nasturtiums idea sounds like fun.

I have tried them and agree that the spiciness is pleasant. I don't grow them (although I grow just about everything else) as we only have room for so much. Plus they tend to spread.....

[Jenise]

I have tried them and agree that the spiciness is pleasant. I don't grow them (although I grow just about everything else) as we only have room for so much. Plus they tend to spread.....

I put them in a tall pot. Haven't had any come back--have to replant each season.

I put them in a tall pot. Haven't had any come back--have to replant each season.

That I could do!

For some reason, every time I plant nasturtiums they get infested with powdery mildew. Does anyone know a way to prevent that?

[Jenise]

Interesting. I don't get the mildew, and yet my courtyard where I plant these is very susceptible to mildew. There are other things I can't plant there.

Never cooked with nasturtiums. I've done quite a bit with dried day lilies, though.

-Paul W.