Lily Pop , Anyone?

Water Lily aka 'Bhet phool' aka  'Shapla'

Almost every family in the north east India owns a pond. And gracing almost every pond is a family of Water Lilies. White, red and purple, the Lilies are called 'Bhet phool' or 'Shapla'(which is also the national flower of Bangladesh) and are a great attraction among local kids. The reason? The pop seeds of the Lilies, or, as we kids called them 'Lily Pops.' 


Its very easy to make Lily pops. The seeds in the Lily pod look very much like mustard seeds. Dry them in the sun and fry them later in a vessel until they pop. Don't forget to put the lid on. Lightweight and munchy, they are quite a delight! And the fact that its a free treat adds to the fun :)


The stalks of the Lily is also edible. Peel off the outer fiber and cook the inner, softer, fleshy part like you would cook a zucchini or a ridge gourd (tori/turai). You can cook them as a separate dish or as an add on. The taste is unforgettable!


So, go ahead, give yourself a free gift - a bowl of Lily pops! 

Land Lotus - A Magnificent Edible Flower!

'It must be the season' - the voice of  Joan Baez fills in my room as I write the first of my whispering green stories. And indeed, it IS the season of the green (or, shall I say pink?) I am going to write about today: the Land Lotus.


The tree of the land lotus can grow as big as 8 feet,but its branches are very light and fragile. From August, I would wake up early and look all over the tree in our garden for the sign of  a bloom. And one day - not before mid-September though- I would see two or three of the magnificent beauties spreading their pink petals.

The Land Lotus (Also known as Confederate Rose,Cotton Rose or Cotton Rosemallow)

Pink in the early morning, the color of the flower changes, growing one shed darker every hour. And then, by sunset, its almost red!


That this is an edible flower is something I learnt form my granny.