Calendula has the most wonderfully soft petals......they feel like feathers. kath from: Seeds of Knowledge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - T O D A Y ' S H E R B ~ C A L E N D U L A - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Calendula is at home in a children's garden, the flower bed or an herb garden with it's brilliant colors and simple growing requirements. This festive plant really does not seem to be appreciated by modern cooks and gardeners, but medieval cooks used the whole blooms as garnish for platters of meat and fish and the Romans used the petals as a saffron substitute. I cannot think of a single negative trait for Calendula, or Pot Marigold as it is also known, except that it will reseed with abandon if the seeds are left to scatter. Even this is not a problem, since stray plants are so easy to pull up. The strange looking seeds can be planted in March or April, even before the final frost, in light, fairly good soil that is in full sun. It does not transplant well, though I have had some success, so plant where you would like to keep it. I always plant more seeds than I need in case some don't germinate. Cover lightly with soil, then after the seedlings appear, space them about 12 inches apart. In window boxes and pots they can be spaced much closer. I pick and use the blooms as they appear for recipes, cut flowers and for drying, then in the fall I let the seeds form and gather them for next year. They continue to bloom throughout the summer if you keep most of the flowers harvested. Gather the seeds after they have turned brown and store in a dry cool place until the next year. Calendula petals can be added to soups, stews and salads. They will give color to puddings, rice dishes, and fish recipes. The young leaves can be used in salads and recipes as well. One of my favorite ideas for Calendula blooms is to frost a two layer cake with buttercream or cream cheese frosting and decorate with the individual blooms along the base of the cake and on top. This is especially nice with carrot or spice cake. Of course, be sure the Calendula plants have not been exposed to any chemicals. The same thing can be done with individual cupcakes for a festive and pretty luncheon treat. Try Pot Marigolds this year, and it will become a favorite herb and flower for you too. The following recipes will give you an idea of what you can do with your Calendula plants. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - T O D A Y ' S R E C I P E S - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Calendula and Rice Soup Ingredients: 8 cups chicken or vegetable stock 1/2 cup brown rice, uncooked 2 medium sweet onions, chopped 2 medium red potatoes, scrubbed and chopped 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 tsp. celery seed 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped 2 cups calendula flowers (the petals) 1 cup young calendula leaves 2 tablespoon chopped chives 2 tablespoons chopped parsley 1 tablespoon lemon juice In a small amount of oil, lightly brown onions in a large pan. Add stock, potatoes, rice, celery seed and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered for 20 minutes. Add spinach, chives, parsley, calendula flowers and leaves. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Serve at once with a Calendula bloom in each bowl. Serves 10-12. Calendula Cleanser Ingredients: 4 tablespoons almond oil 2 tablespoons dried Calendula flowers a few drops of rose water (optional) Warm the oil in a bowl placed over a pan of hot water. Stir in the dried flowers and heat gently for about 30 minutes (over the pan). Remove the bowl and allow the oil to cool. Stir in the flower water at this point. Use as a cleanser on your face and neck.