Flowers have been part of the Filipino culture in festivals to courting and dating to home beautification to honoring of guests, but little did we know that there are flowers that are edible, nutritious, and medicinal.
Malnutrition in the Philippines is still a national problem. The 2015 FNRI survey reveals that the prevalence of underweight in the Philippines is 21.5%, stunting is 33.4% and wasting is 7.1%. The 2008 UNICEF framework for undernutrition shows that inadequate dietary intake/ household food insecurity is one of the immediate causes of malnutrition.
However, there are lots of food sources readily available around us that we usually waste away because we are unaware that they are edible and nutritious, like the flowers in your garden.
Here are the five (5) common flowers we grow in the Philippines with their nutritional value and common recipes:
1. Squash blossom or bulaklak ng kalabasa is high in Calcium, Iron, Vitamin C and Vitamin A. You may use this as garnish from soups to salads to fried stuffs.
2. Nasturtium or Tonghoy which is commonly neglected in the pathway is high in Vitamin C, B1, B2, and B3, minerals including Iron, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Manganese. This also contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. This is usually mixed in the salads.
3. Rose petals are not just for Valentine’s day but also for the food plate. It contains Vitamin C, B, E and K, Calcium, Citric Acid, Iron, and Potassium. Usual recipes are Rosa Jam, Ice Cream, Rose Cake, Rose Pudding and Salad.
4. Hibiscus or Gumamela flower is not just ornamental decoration but also medicinal. It is rich in Calcium, Phosphorous, Iron, and Vitamin C. This is usually used for juice, jams, salads, and mixed vegetables.
5. Ixora coccinea or Santan flower is our childhood favorite flower to pick and sip its nectar. More than that it, contains phytochemicals known for antioxidative, antibacterial and antidiarrheal effects. Common recipe for this are crispy flowers, vegetable salad and as gourmets.
These may be new to you but you will never know and enjoy them until you taste it for yourself. UJP
Sources: www.organicauthority.com/flowers/squash-blossoms.html; www.naturalpedia.com
