Finally! Spring has definitely arrived.
The trees are awake, stretching their long limbs after a loooooooong, wet, Washington winter. Flowers are being sun kissed and the bees are abuzz, saying hello to each new blossom.
My favorite time of year is right now, I seem to wake up as nature emerges reborn. Every year I get a little curious about what I can try to make and share with each new neighbor I meet. Sometimes I’ll see something in a garden and ask to do a little foraging for plants I have yet to grow.
One of my favorite neighbors calls me every year to come and pick all the flowers from her lilacs. I grab my reusable grocery bags and walk down to her house ASAP.
Flower jelly is my favorite late morning/early afternoon/midnight snack. Flower jellies make a fantastic addition to any pantry and they’re free! Consider these edible flowers the next time to want to try something new. I guarantee you’ll make these a staple for any occasion.
Here are 9 awesome ideas for jellies you can make from foraged flower blossoms…
1. Lilac Jelly
My absolute favorite of all flower jellies, lilacs are blooming just in time for Mothers Day. We make sixty 4oz jars and give many of them away to all the moms we know and love. Lilacs are an edible blossom, if you don’t happen to have any growing, plant a bush in a sunny location in your yard and enjoy your own homemade lilac jelly straight from your own backyard! Use to enhance a cheese plate, at brunch on biscuits or on a special treat for tea.
2. Honeysuckle Jelly
This is another personal favorite. I gather honeysuckle blossoms from the neighbors to make this amazing Honeysuckle Jelly. We swear it tastes just like honey. Enjoy it spread over a hot, fresh biscuit.
3. Violet Jelly
Violets love to grow wild in lawns, in cultivated flower beds, and along the edge of the woods. The blossoms are delicious eaten fresh, but they also make a fantastic and completely gorgeous Violet Jelly.
4. Dandelion Jelly
I know you have dandelions growing in your yard… or at least somewhere in your neighborhood! We let these grow since they’re the first food for early rising bees. They’re packed full of vitamins, the greens are excellent in salads, but besides the healthy value of dandelions, you’ll love the sweet, golden jelly you can make from these pervasive flowers. Just be sure to harvest them from somewhere you know hasn’t been sprayed- and always wash them well before cooking.
5. Sunflower Jelly
Sunflowers are a great addition to your garden. Not only can you harvest their seeds to enjoy, but you can also make Sunflower Jelly from those gorgeous yellow petals. If you’ve never grown sunflowers, give them a try this year! You’ll love it, but so will everyone else. Happy Sharing!
6. Lavender Jelly
Lavender has so many great uses, one of which of course is a heavenly Lavender Jelly. If you’re interested in planting some, I’d recommend that you choose a long-stemmed variety- these have more uses than the low growing variety.
7. Red and White Clover Jelly
We seed our front lawn with red and white clover. It’s great for water conservation, low maintenance, and it’s drought resistant. It also stays greener than our neighbors lawn year round. No matter where you live, you’re sure to find patches of red and white clover growing wild; in the cracks of the sidewalk, and along the roadside. The next time you pass a patch that’s pretty far from foot traffic, put it to good use with this White Clover Jelly Recipe, or this White Wine and Red Clover Blossom Jelly!
8. Rose Petal Jelly
Roses are amazing plants, especially the Rosa Rugosa variety. The Rugosa is known for growing large rose hips which are loaded with Vitamin C. I like using the rose hips to make an immune boosting tea whenever we feel a cold coming on. Rose Petal Jelly looks like another great way to use this versatile plant!
9. Marigold Jelly Recipe
Pot Marigolds, also known as Calendula, are a favorite variety to grow. Calendula has medicinal properties, is great for skin issues and tt also acts as a pest repellant in the garden. Who knew you could make jelly with those fragrant blossoms?
