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    Refreshing Cucumber Borage Salad

    Mar 8, 2022 This post may contain affiliate links.

    When warmer temperatures arrive and our borage blooms I can't help but want to add beautiful borage flowers to everything. Borage has a mild taste that resembles cucumber, and it's flowers are sweet and delicious. Borage is easy to grow, and has notable health benefits. Make this cucumber borage flower salad to celebrate this wonder edible flower crop.

    I'm a big fan of wild food and foraged salads, and especially adding flowers to my salads. See Garden pansy salad, arugula dandelion salad, and our signature tulip salad. So I simply had to add a borage salad to my recipe keepsake.

    cucumber borage salad 1

    This recipe is so simple yet elegant for botanical entertaining. And don't forget to pair it with a cucumber borage gin and tonic or enjoy it with borage tea.

    What is borage?

    Borage (borage officinalis) also known as the star flower, is an annual herb with edible leaves and flowers. The flower, which we use in this recipe - has a sweet, honey-like taste.

    How to identify borage:

    The plant is hairy all over its stems and leaves. The flowers are star-like, with five, narrow, triangular-pointed petals. 

    When and where can I find borage?

    close up shot of sliced cucumbers and borage flowers

    Borage is often grown in gardens, and is considered to be a wonderful pollinator and companion crop. If you don't grow it yourself, ask your gardening friends or check your local nursery!

    In temperate climates such as in the UK, its flowering season is relatively long, from June to September. In milder climates, borage blooms continuously for most of the year.

    I used to find borage grown wild on my hikes when I lived in the Mediterranean, and now grow it in my own garden. Borage is one of my recommended plants for : Edible flowers to grow in your garden.

    Benefits of borage:

    You can eat the leaves, raw or cooked, and the flowers, raw, as a garnish or in drinks.

    Not only does it taste great, it is also a common ingredient in herbal medicine, and can be great for your health. 

    It’s especially rich in gamma linoleic acid, which is an omega-6 fatty acid that has been shown to decrease inflammation (Scientific study: Trusted Source).

    overhead shot of ingredients in cucumber borage salad, sliced cucumber, herbs, salt and pepper, vinegar, herb leaves and borage

    Ingredients:

    The ingredients in this salad are vibrant and minimal.

    • Thinly sliced cucumber
    • Fennel seeds
    • Kosher salt + pepper
    • Herbs: parsley, basil flowers and sorrel
    • Borage flowers
    • Apple cider vinegar
    close up shot of thinly sliced cucumber and borage flowers

    How to make this salad:

    • Thinly slice your cucumber and place them in a colander for an hour to let them drain some water.
    • Move to a large bowl and toss cucumber with vinegar, fennel, salt and pepper.
    • Arrange seasoned cucumber on a serving dish of choice, and add herbs and borage.
    • Serve immediately.
    overhead shot of vintage tray with sliced cucumber and borage flowers

    Cucumber borage flower salad

    sarah
    When warmer temperatures arrive and our borage blooms I can't help but want to add beautiful borage flowers to everything. Borage has a mild taste that resembles cucumber, and it's flowers are sweet and delicious. Borage is easy to grow, and has notable health benefits. Make this cucumber borage flower salad to celebrate this wonder edible flower crop.
    4.84 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Edible flowers
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 large salad
    Calories 26 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 Persian cucumbers thinly sliced or chopped
    • 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
    • kosher salt + pepper to your desired taste
    • ¼ cup borage flowers removed from stems
    • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
    • Optional: herbs: parsley basil flowers and sorrel for more flavor and garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Thinly slice your cucumber and place them in a colander for an hour to let them drain some water.
      Move to a large bowl and toss cucumber with vinegar, fennel, salt and pepper.
      Arrange seasoned cucumber on a serving dish of choice, and add herbs and borage.
      Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Serve immediately

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 26kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gSodium: 65mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g
    Keyword borage flower, borage in salad, borage recipe, cucumber borage salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About sarah

    Sarah Buckley is the go-to expert for anyone looking to add some botanical flair and creativity in their kitchen. She is a master gardener, herbalist, edible flower expert, professional food photographer and recipe developer. She teaches people how to use botanicals creatively with their culinary work from the garden to table to or apothecary, ensuring they're using safe practices throughout all aspects of plant handling.

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