For years my parents lived in New Mexico with a beautiful yucca plant in their front yard. I would often take pictures of Mom and Dad standing in front of the yucca plant in their Sunday best after church. The majestic Organ Mountains and White Sands were off in the distance. I never realized that their pretty white blossoms were edible until coming to Honduras. Tis the season to harvest some the flowers of this majestic plant! I have seen the flowers for sale in the market, but yesterday one of my students, Milton, brought some to school to give to Yulisa, the Honduran third and fourth grade teacher.
Yucca (not to be confused with yuca) is a shrub or tree native to dry regions in North, Central, and South America. The flowers, which bloom in spring and summer, are known as flor de izote in Spanish. Eaten raw the petals are crunchy and sweet with a faint artichoke flavor. Most people avoid eating the centers, as they can taste bitter. The Hondurans boil them, cut them up, and add them to eggs and sometimes a tomato sauce. Yummy! Can you imagine how lovely the blossoms would be used as garnishes for salads, desserts, and drinks. Isn’t our God a creative God!!
jesusinkathy 