Who: Andhrimnir and open When: Tuesday, mid-morning Where: Gardenia Organic Florist & Emporium, 526 Hudson Street, Manhattan
Finding a florist that specialized in organically grown flowers had been a bit of a treasure for Andre. Prior to the opening of Gardenia Organic, he’d had to make arrangements with private individuals. Which he still did for some of his other supplies, but having to go through several people to get blossoms in the quantities he sometimes demanded was time consuming. And seasonal. He was sincerely hoping he’d still be able to get flowers from Gardenia Organic through the colder months.
But going to a conventional florist was out of the question. Pesticides were used which made the blossoms unacceptable for human consumption. Because Andre did not simply use flowers as a garnish, but as parts of the dishes themselves. Beyond sugared violets on a dessert, beyond stuffed squash leaves, Andre loved to experiment with ways of using things people could eat but did not expect to find on their plates.
Marigold petals sprinkled in soups. Borage blossoms used in dips. Sunflower buds, steamed and used like artichokes before they bloom. Roses to make syrups and jellies. Peonies in tea. Gladiolus stuffed with mouse. Dandelion petals, tiny and delicate, sprinkled over rice. Day lilies filled and steamed like squash blossoms, or their petals used in salads.
Which was how he would be using the armfuls of carnations he now carried out of the florist shop. They could be used as decoration, candied, or even steeped in wine, but today they would go in a salad. The slightly peppery petals would be pulled from the blossoms and scattered over the greens, adding both color and flavor. They would be wonderful.
With no care at all for who might be watching or how odd others might find the behavior, Andhrimnir stretched forward, plucking several of the petals with his teeth so he could affirm that the flavor would be perfect. He would have used his fingers, but his hands and arms were full, balancing the several dozen flowers he’d purchased. Chewing slowly, he nodded to himself. He’d tried them in the store, of course, but it was always a good idea to be certain and now he was. Carnations had definitely been the way to go.