The evening primrose is one of those plants you might know for its yellow flowers that only open at dusk. But did you know that you can also use the seeds of this night-bloomer in the kitchen? From evening primrose seeds you can make, for example, this nutritious energy balls: perfect as a natural pick-me-up. Foraging expert Katja Wezel from wilderlust.nl Show how to make this tasty and simple foraging recipe.
How to recognise the evening primrose, an edible flower!
The evening primrose is a remarkable plant that you mostly get to know if you happen to come across it at dusk. It is not for nothing that it is also called night flower or beauty-of-the-night: towards evening the yellow flowers open at lightning speed – sometimes within a few minutes – and attract nocturnal insects such as moths and hawk-moths. Several species occur in the Netherlands, such as the small, medium and large evening primrose. And the great thing is: they are all edible.
The plant grows as a perennial in a leaf rosette with oblong, lanceolate leaves and, in its flowering year, forms a sturdy, often hairy stem with reddish tinges. Along the upper half of that stem appear the elongated, red-green flower buds, which open one by one, often for just one day. The taste of the flower is fresh and floral with a subtle sweetness. What makes the evening primrose extra interesting lies in its seeds, which contain a special omega-6 fatty acid that is rarely found in plants.
You can use the evening primrose in various ways. The flower buds and flowers are delicious in salads and as an edible decoration. The green fruits that remain after flowering can be eaten raw or incorporated into stir-fries. You harvest the seeds in autumn, when the seed pods have dried out and are open, by holding them upside down over your hand so they fall out naturally. Those seeds can be used like sesame and also form the basis for this energy balls.
Pay close attention when picking: there are other yellow-flowering plants with flowers along the stem, such as mullein and agrimony. These are not poisonous, but differ in shape. The evening primrose can be recognised by its elongated buds and flowers that stand off the stem on a longer stalk.
Evening primrose energy balls
Kitchenware
- food processor
- come
- spoon
Ingredients
- 5 Medjool dates pitless
- 1 handful of unroasted cashews
- 2 el evening primrose seeds
- 3 el coconut rind
- 4 el hemp seed
- 5 el tahini
- 1 fluorescent cinnamon
- ¼ fluorescent cardamom
- 1 fluorescent olive oil
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Soak the cashews in water for at least 6 hours.
- Blend the soaked cashews briefly in the food processor so they remain chunky. Put them in a separate bowl and mix them with the evening primrose seeds.
- Put the remaining ingredients (except the hemp seed, the cashews and the seeds) into the food processor and blend until smooth.
- Mix this mixture by hand through the cashews and evening primrose seeds.
- Roll the whole into small balls.
- Roll the little balls through the hemp seed.
- Place the energy balls in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up.
Neat game picking
Foraging and creating your own recipes is great fun, but don't forget: foraging is officially forbidden in the Netherlands and is often only tolerated. In some places stricter rules apply or it's strictly prohibited. And you're also not allowed to pick certain species. So always forage with respect for nature: only for your own use, never take more than you need, and leave enough for animals and other nature lovers. Want to know more about what to look out for? Here is a handy overview of the game picking rules.
Would you also like to go on the road with Katja? Check out her website wilderlust.nl with all the information about its wild-picking walks and courses.
- Also see: chestnut and wild mushroom soup.
- Also see: green tomato chutney.
- Also see: growing oyster mushrooms yourself.
Photo credits: Wilderlust.
