Begonia petals ✦

Bégonia

What it is

Tuberous begonia petals are sour for the same reason sorrel and rhubarb are: oxalic acid, concentrated enough to make the flower an ingredient rather than a decoration. Cooks buy it as an acid — a few torn petals do the work of a squeeze of lemon without adding any liquid to the plate.

In the kitchen

Tear rather than cut, and add at the very last moment: petals turn translucent and limp within a minute of meeting oil or salt. Anyone advised to avoid rhubarb and spinach for kidney stones should avoid these on the same grounds.

Goes with

Strawberry Cucumber Scallop Oyster Goat cheese Trout

In season alongside

Gooseberry Green Zebra tomato Redcurrant Tomatillo Lingonberry Apple

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