Turkey Calendula Roll-Ups
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons low fat or fat free mayonnaise
1-tablespoon horseradish
2-3 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons diced sweet pickle relish
1 tart apple, peeled cored and finely diced
1-cup calendula or marigold petals
4 twelve-inch tortillas
8 ounces wafer thin turkey or ham slices
Lettuce leaves and calendula or marigold petals for garnish
In a bowl blend the cream cheese with mayonnaise, horseradish, lemon juice and pickle relish. Gently stir in apple and flower petals. With a spatula spread the mixture evenly over each tortilla. Cover spread with a single layer of turkey or ham. Roll filled tortilla, jellyroll style. Cut immediately or wrap tightly in plastic wrap to chill. To serve, cut to desired thickness and arrange on a serving platter over a bed of lettuce. Sprinkle with additional flower petals.
Photo shows cluster of Calendula officinalis seeds. Strands of white filament are cobweb.
Calendula is an annual, medicinal and edible flower that has been grown in gardens since medieval times. It has orange or yellow flowers which can be single to fully double. Many cultivars are available.
Seeds are ornate and collection is easy. The flower withers and drops away and the seed heads develop atop the stem. They are not fast to develop so patience is needed. The seeds are usually curved like the letter "C" and can have a ridge of bumps on their convex edge. They are unusual in that one seed head will produce seeds of differing sizes and curvatures.
Collection is simple. Wait for the seeds to finish maturing, they will turn a dull grayish-brown. To remove a seed head just clasp the seed head at its base and pull it up off the stem. Crumble the head onto a plate and allow the seeds to dry for several more days before packing. The seeds are heavy enough that a few good puffs will blow away only the chaff.
by Nancy Garrison, Horticultural Advisor, Santa Clara County
adapted from Lyle Pyeatt's research in 1983
Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County Online
University of California Cooperative Extension
By Iris Lonker, Master Gardener and noted herbalist
Berks County Cooperative Extension
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
By Mary Wardman, Master Gardener
Cooperative Extension, Hillsborough County
University of New Hampshire
First-School.WS