Picking nigellas is a simple joy—whether you’re alone, savoring the quiet rustle of stems, or laughing with friends as you fill baskets with these delicate blooms. The fields are a patchwork of color, and there’s something satisfying about choosing each flower, its feathery foliage brushing your fingers. Kids love it too, hunting for the prettiest ones to take home.
Once you’ve gathered your nigellas, their starry flowers and seed pods add charm to any room. Tuck them into small vases for a wild, rustic look, or dry them upside down to preserve their whimsical shape for wreaths and arrangements.
If you’ve picked them for their seeds, try grinding a pinch into warm bread dough or sprinkling over roasted vegetables for a peppery kick. For something refreshing, steep the seeds in hot water with honey and lemon for a soothing tea. Feeling fancy? Muddle a few seeds into a Nigella Sparkler:
- 1 tsp nigella seeds
- 1 oz gin
- ½ oz honey syrup
- Sparkling water
- Lemon twist
Lightly crush the seeds, shake with gin and syrup, strain over ice, top with bubbly water, and garnish with lemon. Cheers to a day well spent in the fields!