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Janet Starr Hull PhD, CN

Alternative Health and Holistic Nutrition

Recipes Using Rose Petals

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Cartoon smiling chef with blank menu paper in hands
Healthy recipes using rose petals.

Eating roses? It sounds a little out there, but roses are extremely nutritious. Heck, some people eat bugs.

Let’s stick with roses.

Here are three recipes using rose petals from Susan Wittig Albert, China Bayles Mystery, Death Come Quickly.

Try it – you’ll love it.

How To Prepare Roses

Use only unsprayed roses from a home garden (florist roses have likely been sprayed). Fragrant roses have the best flavor. Snip the bitter white heel from each petal before preparing.

Rose Petal Salad

  • leaves of 2 small Belgian endives
  • leaves of 1 small head of Boston lettuce, washed, patted dry, and torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/4-1 cup prepared rose petals
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon finely minced rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • salt to taste

Arrange the endive leaves on four salad plates, and add the torn lettuce. Top with almonds and rose petals.

In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, rosemary, and cardamom. Add salt to taste. Drizzle over salads and serve immediately.

Chilled Rose and Strawberry Soup

A red rose with its reflection over clear water.
Roses are a healthy addition to many recipes.

Prepare rose petals as above.

  • 2 pints fresh or frozen (slightly thawed) strawberries
  • 1 cup prepared rose petals
  • 1 teaspoon rose water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups plain yogurt
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • whole fresh strawberries and sprigs of mint for garnish

In a blender, combine all ingredients. Chill. Pour into dessert cups or bowls, garnish with strawberries and mint.

Rose Petal Sandwiches

  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon rose water
  • 1 1/2 cups prepared rose petals, divided in half
  • salt to tase
  • 8 thinly cut slices of bread, crusts removed

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, rose water, and half of the rose petals. Add salt to taste. Cover and chill overnight.

Bring cheese mixture to room temperature. Spread on 4 slices of bread and layer on remaining rose petals. Place second slice of bread on top of each, and cut into quarters diagonally. Makes 16 small finger sandwiches.

Who’d ever thought ….