AMATHIST

I am a daylily fancier. They are the easiest to grow, most varied, and probably the longest lived herbaceous flower you you can grow. By the last authoritative information i have, there were 37,000 named and registered daylilies, mostly in private hands. Still, the varieties of commercially available hybrids are overwhelming. Our gardens contain 525 varieties, and i tend to buy cheap [usually $1.50 to $2.50 a start].

But, perhaps i am preaching to the choir. Maybe you already have a yard full of, or a nearby ditch full of these flowers. So, instead of my usual lecture about them i hereby provide you with information you probably don't have. Daylilies are emergency food. It is not that you have to wait to have an emergency to enjoy them.

PLEASE EAT THE DAYLILIES

Daylilies are edible, tasty, and nutritious. Several parts of the plant can be eaten; buds for salads, blooms [open or spent] for casseroles or fritters,very early plant starts for greens or sprouts, and the roots for potatoes or pea substitute.

Daylily buds have more Vit C. Vit A and protein than string beans, okra or asparagus.

RECIPIES: [ mostly from the Handbook of the American Hemerocallis Society.]

Frozen for future use [non red varieties preferred; Blanch blooms for 3 minutes, remove, chill, drain and freeze.

Fried daylilies; Dip fresh or thawed daylily blossoms in beaten egg. Roll in a mixture of flour,salt and onion powder. Saute' in hot oil until crisp.

Saute'd Daylilies: Put thawed or fresh daylily blooms in a non-stick skillet or shallow pan. Salt and cover, allow to steam until moisture is just used up. Remove from pan, add butter if desired, Sprinkle well with onion powder and serve hot.

Daylily bud casserole; cook 3-4 strips of bacon until crisp. Remove from pan and set aside.
Brown 2 chopped onions in the drippings. Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water Bring to a boil. Add 2 quarts of daylily buds, season with salt and pepper.Cook only until tender. Add one can mushrooms and one can sliced water chestnuts. Slowly and gently fold in 1 can of cream of mushroom soup [undiluted]. place in a casserole dish, top with crumbles of bacon. Bake at 350 oven until bubbly.

Add daylily buds, sliced to your tossed salad ingredients.

At your pleasure, daylilies can be substituted for most mild flavored vegetables in your favorite recipies. If size is important, simply dice or mince.

Don't forget, Daylilies make the loveliest of garnishes and hold up well.