The properties of Garden Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus (garden nasturtium, Indian cress, or monks cress) is a species of flowering plant in the family Tropaeolaceae, originating in the Andes from Bolivia north to Colombia.
All its parts are edible. The flower has most often been consumed, making for an especially ornamental salad ingredient; it has a slightly peppery taste reminiscent of watercress, and is also used in stir fry. The flowers contain about 130 mg vitamin C per 100 grams (3.5 oz), about the same amount as is contained in parsley. Moreover, they contain up to 45 mg of lutein per 100 gr, which is the highest amount found in any edible plant. The unripe seed pods can be harvested and dropped into spiced vinegar to produce a condiment and garnish, sometimes used in place of capers.
