The Misty Manor, Mercers

Violets are blooming like crazy this time of year. Some violets bloom in early spring, some fall, a few species both times each year. Many people grow violets in their garden for decoration, but few people know they were originally grown as a salad green and are very nutritious, being especially high in vitamin C and iron. The leaves and flowers are both edible raw or lightly steamed. The flowers have long been sugared for decoration on cakes and other deserts and they can be made into a syrup for pancakes or to sooth sore throats and coughs.