Looking for a more personal touch than a gift card? For the culinary enthusiast in your life, a homemade gift from the kitchen is a truly special gesture.
Right now is peak chive blossom season, and these vibrant purple, puffball-like flowers offer a delicious solution. An allium family member, chive blossoms pack a savory, oniony, and garlicky punch. Turning them into a finishing salt is an easy and effective way to preserve their unique flavor long after their brief spring appearance.
Typically in season from late spring to early summer, chive blossoms are the fragrant, edible flowers that emerge at the ends of chive stalks. (Photos by Doug Young)
Creating chive blossom salt is incredibly simple: Combine fresh chive blossoms with salt, spread the mixture thinly on a plate, then let it air dry for several days until the blossoms are completely dry. (This is crucial—moisture will compromise the salt’s quality and shelf life.) Once fully dry, transfer the infused salt to a jar and store it in a cool, dark place away from light and heat. While the blossoms’ color may fade over time as the salt absorbs their essence, the delicious flavor will remain for months. You can even apply this method to other edible allium flowers, like garlic or onion blossoms, which typically bloom later in the summer.
Chive blossom salt offers a delicate yet distinct green onion flavor that elevates many dishes. It’s fantastic sprinkled on grilled meats and vegetables, avocado toast, salads, and pizzas. (Seriously, who doesn’t want to eat pizza with purple flowers sprinkled on it?) You can even whip it into butter for a flavorful spread with warm bread or crunchy French breakfast radishes.
Incorporating the flowers into your finishing salt is an effective way to preserve and enjoy the chive flavor for months ahead. (Photos by Doug Young)
Beyond personal use, chive blossom salt makes a thoughtful and tasty handmade gift for the budding chef, host, or hostess, embodying the essence of spring’s bounty. Pair it with a gift card to a local culinary shop like Loaves & Fishes Cookshop in Bridgehampton for extra points! Not growing your chives? Check-in at Fairview Farm at Mecox to grab some freshly cut bunches.
Chive flower finishing salt
Ingredients
- 1 cup flaky sea salt, such as Maldon
- 1/3 cup chive blossoms
- 1 tbsp grated lemon zest (optional)
Directions
- Pick chive blossoms off of flowering chive heads to make 1/3 cup of blossoms.
- In a medium bowl, stir the salt, chive blossoms and lemon zest together until they're evenly distributed.
- Spread the mixture onto a large plate lined with a paper towel.
- Let it dry for about 4 days, or until the blossoms feel "paper-y" to the touch.
- Stir the mixture once daily to ensure even drying.
- Once dried, transfer the chive blossom salt into a clean, dry jar with an airtight lid or package into spice jars and label to give as gifts.
- Store in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year.
