Monday, June 6, 2011

Chive Blossom Vinegar

I have three chive plants. I really do love chives. I use it in a lot of the summer salads that I make (and the kids and I will often even just break some off and eat it plain!) However, Lily and I went out to weed the herb bed on Friday and saw that my poor chive plants were weighed down by the weight of their pretty purple blossoms. So we both grabbed our shears and started cutting off the flowers.




I had previously heard of making chive blossom vinegar somewhere on the Internet. And since I had a whole large colander full of the blossoms, it seemed a shame to throw them into the compost when I knew they could be put to use. And I do use a lot of vinegar for various things when I cook.



Chive blossom vinegar is incredibly easy to make. Soak and rinse your blossoms in cold water to remove any dirt particles or tiny critters. Then dry them off as best as you can - I used my salad spinner (which I must add is a great investment if you make lots of salads or eat lots of berries!)






Stuff a quart sized mason jar about 1/2 full with the blossoms. Fill the jar up the rest of the way with white vinegar. And, amazingly, that's it for a couple of weeks. Put lids on your jars and set them in a cool, dark place. I just put my jars on one of my pantry shelves.





As the solution sets, the vinegar will become infused with the mild oniony flavor of the blossoms. After 2-3 weeks, strain the vinegar, collecting the liquid portion. You can then discard the flowers. Store in a glass container like you would store any other vinegar.





As you can see, after only four days, my vinegar already has a pretty purplish hue to it.






I love being able to find uses for things that I would normally just throw out


Have a blessed Monday!

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I just love reading your posts. You never fail to amaze me with all your different ideas.

Tina

Anonymous said...

So Amber, what kinds of things do you use this vinegar for? sounds like yet another reason to grow chives...

Wendi said...

That makes a beautiful vinegar. Those would make cute Christmas gifts!

Just Another Day In Paradise said...

I'd also love to know what you use the vinegar for. Looks lovely!