Wild Harvest~ The Violet

~ A violet by

a mossy stone,

half hidden

from the eye,

fair as a star,

when only one

is shining in the sky.

-William Wordsworth

This week has been so much fun in our speed race to collect violets as fast they explode into seemingly every nook and cranny here at the farm. We have ooh'd and aah'd over the color whether in the raw edible flowers or in the prepared versions of tea, jelly and simple syrup.

For such small, delicate flowers....they always give a big effect...and this year has led to some new combinations in our kitchen.

Violet Rhubarb Jelly

This tastes as good as it looks! The color suggests additives or food coloring....but it is 100% naturally occurring from the combination of a tea made from violets and a simple syrup made from our rhubarb. The flavor combines the best of tart and sweet and will grace our morning toast for the next few weeks ...and when we need a pick me up in the cold winter months.

Violet Ice Cubes

Oh, so simple to make but adds fun

and beauty to any drink!

Violet Sugar

This is so worth the extra time needed to pluck the petals from the flower! The finished product has a purple cast and looks amazing when sprinkled on muffins and cookies. It has a mild floral scent and taste that lends interest when you put it in hot or iced tea.

The Details

Violet flowers and leaves are both edible and medicinal. The leaves are heavy in fiber and known to assist in lowering cholesterol and assist in restoring intestinal flora. Vitamins A and C are present in the leaves as well. Violet leaves are considered an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and blood thinning.

Violet flowers are both cooling and moistening and known to be used as a blood cleanser, respiratory remedy and lymphatic stimulant. This flower can be consumed in large quantities and is gentle enough for people of all ages.

Though the violet is mostly taken internally, they can also be used to make a poultice to treat skin ailments such as eczema, bug bites and varicose veins.

Simple and short blog this week....made so in order to give you plenty of time to go straight to your backyards to get a handful of this wild harvest favorite!