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Horned Violet
The colorful horned violets with their delicate flowers ranging from deep black to royal blue and purple to white and lemon yellow enchant balconies, gardens and cemeteries every spring. The popular heralds of spring have been used time and again for decorative purposes for decades. The little sister of the pansies is very floriferous from spring to autumn. It is impossible to imagine gardens without them. Sometimes, however, the question arises as to whether horned violets are poisonous or edible?
Are horned violets edible?
Some cat and dog owners sometimes disagree as to whether the horned violet or Viola cornuta, as it is also known, is poisonous for their darlings if they come into contact with it in the garden. The following can be said about this: the violet plant is not poisonous to humans or any animals. On the contrary, the flowers, even leaves, are horned violets edible. Not only that, because of the ingredients, horned violets are also beneficial to health. They contain, among other things
- vitamins
- bitter substances
- essential oils
- mucilage (saponins)
tip: A tea can be made from the herb and dried petals. It is very tasty and helps against allergies, inflammatory skin complaints, as well as coughs and sore throats.
use
Normally, the entire plant is edible, for example chopped up in salads or sprinkled over food. The flowers of the horned violet can not only be used as a decorative garnish for different dishes because of their distinctive appearance. There are a variety of recipe ideas here. In any case, horned violets are always edible. Due to the slightly sweet taste and wonderful scent, the flower of the Viola cornuta can be eaten raw, baked or candied. The petals are excellent
- candied as candy
- for pies and cakes
- fruit salads
- vegetable salads
- Chocolate and pralines as well
- Yoghurt and quark dishes, as well as for refining and garnishing puddings
Candied Flowers
Candied flowers and leaves can be used to refine and decorate all desserts or just as a snack in between. However, the leaves are not so decorative. The production is quite simple:
- Make a protein-water mixture
- Cover the flowers with it
- Carefully sprinkle sugar on top
- Let the flowers dry
There are different methods for this
- Drying in the dehydrator
- in the oven at 50 °C for at least two hours or
- put in a dry place overnight
Have a different drink
Some cocktails only develop their flavor with a few ice cubes. These can simply be made in a completely different way, using frozen horned violet flowers. They are not only something for the eye, but also for taste. An ice cube mold is used for this
- half filled with water
- Still mineral water is best suited here
- Ice cubes become so beautifully clear
- then put the flower in
- freeze briefly
- then top up with the remaining water
- put back in the fridge
- Blossoms stay in the middle of the ice cubes so nicely
tip: Horned violet blossoms turn a sparkling wine into a delicious, sparkling aperitif.
Do not wash flowers
The flower heads should always be used fresh and not washed. Water would take away the beauty of the graceful blossoms. However, proper cleaning of the flowers is still necessary. All insects and small larvae must be carefully removed by hand. If stored in a cool place, they can be kept for a few days.
Tip: Horned violet blossoms should always be harvested shortly before consumption, as this is when the aroma and scent are at their strongest.
Be careful with bought flowers
Purchased horned violets should not simply be eaten without thought. As a rule, these plants are always reared with artificial fertilizers, since they are not normally intended for consumption. All parts of the plant contain chemical pesticides such as pesticides and fungicides. They are poisonous and these horned violets are therefore not edible. If such plants are nevertheless intended for consumption, then a waiting period of at least one year is necessary until the violet plant has also guaranteed to break down all the pesticides and fertilizers it contains.
What to consider when buying?
Fresh flowers, including those of Viola cornuta, are sometimes available in a well-stocked vegetable department or on the Internet. However, if a whole plant is to be bought for consumption, it is important to pay attention to the following:
- Always look out for untreated horned violets
- alternatively buy Viola cornuta, which are marked as “edible”.
- Better yet, grow your own plants
culture very simply
If horned violets are often on the menu, it is certainly advisable to cultivate them yourself. Then it is certain that they are free of toxic substances and therefore beneficial to health. The sowing and culture does not require a lot of gardening skills:
- Direct sowing possible all year round
- best time April to July
- Fill pots or seed trays with soil
- particularly suitable seed soil
- Scatter seeds on top and press down
- do not cover with soil
- Viola cornuta are light germs
- spray with water
- then always keep it moist, but not wet
- a place in the shade is good
- doesn't dry out as quickly there
- Germination temperature 15 to 18 °C
- Germination period 8 days to 4 weeks
- as soon as cotyledons are visible choose a lighter place
tip: If the petals are harvested individually, seeds can form in the seed capsules and nothing stands in the way of self-sowing. So it is not always necessary to sow again.