They're Gross, but You Can Eat Them

Have you been tempted to stop and eat the tall bunches of yellow flowers that are on the side of the road right now? They’re pretty gross, but you could if you wanted. They’re called Field Mustard or Turnip. They're in the mustard or cabbage family. The scientific name is Brassica rapa (birds rape)—good job with the name, Linnaeus. They’re in the ballpark of three feet tall and have clusters of + shaped petals. The leaves and roots are edible.

I have tried the roots raw, boiled, and roasted. All ways are equally disgusting, but they are apparently a good source of Vitamins A, B, and C. The leaves aren’t much to email home about either. But in a pinch…