Thursday, June 25, 2009

Day Lilies in Full Bloom!

The garden pops with color this time of year as the Day lily (Hemerocallis fulva) bursts open in all its glory. This hardy perennial will bloom late June thru early July. We have a lovely patch of day lilies near the pond. According to the book Flowers in the Kitchen by Susan Belsinger, all parts of the day lily are edible, although she suggests that the smaller buds (2 inches or less) are best for eating, while the petals can be used whole or finely shredded if desired. We like to pluck the buds and drop them into a jar of pickle juice, allow them to marinate for a week, and enjoy pickled day lily buds as a special treat. Of course, if you do this, you have greatly decreased the amount of beautiful blooming blossoms! What do you do with your day lily blossoms? We recently had an evening event in the tea room for the Cumberland Herb Society where we featured day lilies as the appetizer! Stuffed with savory cheese spread, garnished with fresh parsley, and several tasty crackers, they were served to oohs and aahs as the first course of an herbal tea party. Most of the guests nibbled their way thru blossoms, cheese spread and crackers. I did remove the stamens and pistol before stuffing with the cheese spread. They would also be pretty served on a luncheon plate, stuffed with tuna or chicken salad, perhaps hummus. Aren't they just cheery! If you were served this appetizer, would you eat the blossom?

17 comments:

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

I like them with sorbet or ice cream and maybe a little fruit. Yours look wonderful as usual!

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

P.S. Yes, I would most definitely eat the blossom!

Donna and Miss Spenser said...

I have never considered eating a day lily before!! We have wild orange ones growing in our ditches...I call them Tiger Lilies...do you think those are edible too? The color is outstanding right now!!

Your plates look lovely...Nancy...you are truly a gifted in your culinary skills! Amazing.

Donna

Martha said...

Love daylilies and yes, they are edible -- and make a wonderful presentation!

Linda Jennings said...

Absolutely beautiful -- in the garden and on the plate.

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

You have to be careful of daylilies in ditches along the highways. They may have been sprayed with pesticides.

Joyce Harris said...

I used yellow daylilies yesterday, in fact, like lettuce on my Butterfly shaped tea sandwiches for my Fairy Trough Garden class representing the yellow butterflies that are messengers of the fairies!

Comfrey Cottages said...

oh yea, would eat every bite!lol gosh i wished i lived near you!!!lol hugs :)

parTea lady said...

What outstanding appetizers! They are so pretty. I didn't know that day lilies were edible, but now that I do, I'd certainly taste one.

marthae said...

Stunning presentation, Nancy!
I MUST plant some of these in my garden now that I have seen your use of them. I read where they are one flower than freezes well to use later, too, which is a big plus.
Thank you for sharing.

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

I didn't mention in my first comment that you need to put the daylily in a glass when you do the sorbet or ice cream. It makes a very nice presentation.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I would ~ and yes, I have! My first Daylilly was eaten at Elmwood Inn many years ago. (I must say, it took a bit of courage to take the first nibble.) Your presentation is BEAUTIFUL, Nancy!

Bernideen said...

I just learned something new! I am impressed!

Marilyn Miller said...

What a stunning presentation the day lilies make.

La Tea Dah said...

Oh, how beautiful! I love the magnificence of your tea table with all those day lilies! You'll need to visit my cooking blog today (it's My Cozy Kitchen and linked on Gracious Hospitality). I posted a potato salad served in a squash blossom.

:) LaTeaDah

Bernideen said...

I just gave this idea to a customer having a tea Friday for up to 30 ladies - she is very excited! THANKS AGAIN!

Unknown said...

new to your blog...I posted on stuffed daylilies and bernideen was nice enough to point me in your direction!! YIPEE!!!!! This is a whimsical delight here.