Nasturtiums, with their vibrant blossoms and lush foliage, are more than just eye candy for your garden.
These robust plants are not only easy to cultivate but come packed with a host of uses that span culinary, medicinal, and decorative realms.
In this article, we’ll explore twelve creative ways to utilize every part of the nasturtium plant—from the peppery leaves to the bright flowers, hearty seeds, and even the stems.
1. Culinary Delight: Spicy Nasturtium Leaf Pesto
Move over basil; nasturtium leaves are here to add a spicy twist to the traditional pesto. Rich in Vitamin C, these leaves blend perfectly with pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil to create a pesto that’s both tangy and peppery.
This pesto can be spread on sandwiches, stirred into pasta, or used as a marinade for chicken. It’s not only delicious but also adds a colorful punch to any dish.
2. Decorative Garnishes: Using Nasturtium Flowers
Nasturtium flowers bring a splash of color and a hint of peppery flavor, making them perfect as edible garnishes.
You can sprinkle whole or chopped flowers over salads to add vibrant hues and a slight radish-like taste. For a more creative twist, use them to decorate cakes or float them in summery cocktails.
When preparing nasturtium flowers for consumption, ensure they are clean and free from pesticides, making them a safe and stunning addition to your culinary creations.
3. Healthy Infusions: Nasturtium Tea from Leaves and Flowers
Nasturtium leaves and flowers are not only edible but can also be steeped to make a healthful tea. Known for their natural antibiotic properties, a cup of nasturtium tea can help soothe a sore throat or provide vitamin boosts during cold and flu season.
To make the tea, steep fresh or dried nasturtium leaves and flowers in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Add honey for sweetness and enjoy a cup of wellness from your garden.
4. Pickled Perfection: Preserving Nasturtium Seeds as Capers
If you love capers, you’ll enjoy pickled nasturtium seeds, which serve as a fantastic homemade substitute.
Harvest the green seeds right after the flowers have finished blooming and pickle them in a brine of vinegar, water, salt, and optional spices like garlic or dill.
The result is a piquant addition to salads, pizzas, or pasta dishes, providing a burst of flavor akin to traditional capers but with your unique twist.
5. Herbal Vinegars: Infusing Vinegar with Nasturtiums
Infusing vinegar with nasturtium flowers and leaves is a great way to capture the essence of the plant. The infused vinegar, characterized by its peppery flavor, can be used to enliven salad dressings, marinades, or even as a base for sauces.
Simply fill a jar with fresh nasturtium flowers and leaves, cover with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, and let it sit for a few weeks. Strain out the plant material, and your nasturtium vinegar is ready to use.
6. Spice Up Your Sandwiches: Nasturtium Leaves as a Mustard Alternative
For those who enjoy a hint of heat in their sandwiches, nasturtium leaves are an excellent mustard alternative.
Their peppery taste can elevate a simple sandwich and add a new dimension of flavor. Use whole leaves as sandwich greens or chop them into a spread mixed with cream cheese or butter for an aromatic kick.
This natural spiciness not only enhances the taste but also adds nutritional value to your everyday meals.
7. Nasturtium Butter for Elevated Flavors
Creating a compound butter with nasturtium leaves and flowers is a superb way to enhance the flavor of your dishes. Finely chop the leaves and flowers and mix them into softened butter, along with a pinch of salt.
This butter can be dolloped on top of grilled steaks, spread on warm bread, or melted over vegetables to introduce a subtle peppery flavor that’s as delightful to the palate as it is to the eyes.
8. Colorful Nasturtium Ice Cubes for Stunning Beverages
Add an artistic touch to your drinks with nasturtium flower ice cubes. Simply place whole nasturtium flowers in an ice cube tray, fill with water, and freeze.
These eye-catching ice cubes are perfect for dressing up pitchers of lemonade, iced tea, or cocktails at your next summer gathering, adding a pop of color and a touch of edible flower elegance.
9. Natural Health Remedies: Nasturtium Salves for Skin Care
Nasturtiums possess natural antiseptic properties, making them excellent for homemade skin care remedies.
Create a simple salve by infusing coconut oil with nasturtium leaves and flowers, then mixing with beeswax to set.
This salve can be applied to scrapes and cuts to aid in healing or used as a moisturizing balm for dry skin, harnessing the healing power of nasturtiums right from your garden.
10. Creative Landscaping: Using Nasturtiums in Garden Design
Nasturtiums are not only functional but also beautiful. Use them to fill in bare spots in your garden, hang them in baskets to add vertical interest, or plant them as companion plants to improve the health and taste of vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes.
Their sprawling nature makes them ideal for creating a vibrant, low-maintenance ground cover that attracts beneficial insects and pollinators.
11. Homemade Hair Rinse: Nasturtiums for Scalp Health
Boil nasturtium leaves and flowers to create a rinse that can improve scalp health and stimulate hair growth.
After shampooing, pour the cooled nasturtium-infused water over your scalp as a final rinse to harness the plant’s vitamins and minerals.
Regular use can help address issues like dandruff and itchy scalp, leaving your hair shiny and healthy.
12. Crafty Decor: Dried Nasturtium Arrangements
Drying nasturtium flowers is a wonderful way to preserve their beauty for use in craft projects. Hang the flowers upside down in a dark, dry place until completely dried.
Use these preserved blooms to create decorative wreaths, add them to homemade potpourri mixes, or frame them for unique botanical art that celebrates the beauty of your garden year-round.
The myriad uses of nasturtiums showcase the incredible versatility of this often overlooked plant. From enhancing your culinary creations with spicy leaves and vibrant flowers to adding beauty and function to your garden and home, nasturtiums offer numerous benefits.
We encourage you to plant some in your garden this season and experiment with these twelve creative uses.