Look For Edible Poppy Seeds At The Store, Not In Garden

Q: This year we grew a beautiful row of what was called "Blue Hungarian Poppies." The flower was not blue, but pink, and buds yielded lots of seeds. Is this poppy seed edible? Are any flowering poppy seeds poisonous?

A. Several seed catalogs sell poppies for culinary use. The Pepperbox Bread Poppy, sold by one seed catalog, was listed as Papaver somniferum. The catalog notes "shake out the glossy-black mature poppy seeds for a nutty-tasting addition to pastries, breads, and rolls."

Another catalog sold the Breadseed Poppy, Papaver rhoeas. This one is the common corn poppy or "Flanders poppy," the small-petaled brilliant red annual poppy. It's very easy to find on spring seed racks, and is a beautiful annual to grow.

It's hard to tell what species your poppy was, as common names don't give enough clues. The Poison Control Center at Children's Hospital said that they frequently get the question, "can I eat these poppy seeds?" Their recommendation, and ours, is to stick with the varieties specifically grown for food use, or buy the seeds in a grocery store. Don't experiment randomly with unknown plants.

The Poison Control Center also reminded all of us that all poppies sold for food use in the United States test out with traces of opiates. Anyone taking a random drug test would show up with positive readings after eating a poppy-seed muffin or a slice of cake. These readings can occur for several days after munching the roll.

Q: Where and when are the local farmers markets open?

A: It has been such a marvelous summer that many of you with vegetable gardens like mine are visiting the grocery store relatively infrequently these days. Living out of the garden, except for the grain and dairy products, is a great feeling - even if it is only one meal. The next best thing is to get fresh produce at farmer's markets or farm stands.

The fruits and vegetables at farmers markets are usually only hours from the field or orchard. They are sweet and ripe and full of flavor. Because they haven't spent days in transport and sitting on store shelves their vitamin content is still at its peak too.

Finding farm-fresh produce is getting easier, since more and more neighborhood farmers markets are opening every summer. The Pike Place Market is the granddaddy of local farmers market. It's open year round from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Seattle also has four other markets - Capitol Hill (Saturdays and Sundays), Central Area, International District, and University District (all Saturday markets). All of these Seattle markets are open at least until mid-October.

The Washington State Farmers Market Guide lists 45 farmers markets in the state. This publication gives the location, open dates and times, and contact person. The guide is available by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Farmers Market Guide, 11910-C Meridian St. E. Suite 29, Puyallup, WA 98373.

Because we are fortunate enough to have many fruit and vegetable farms in the region, U-picks and farm stands also are abundant. The Puget Sound Farm Markets Association produces a map of local farms with directions, produce available, open day/hours, etc. The Farm Fresh Guide and Maps are available at local libraries, Cooperative Extension offices, and Chamber of Commerce each spring.

At this time of year, your best bet is to write to the PSFMA Manager. Send a 29-cent stamp and a self-addressed mailing label; please don't send an envelope because the guide is designed to be folded and mailed. Send your request to Sue Kinzer, PSFMA Manager, 1733 N.E. 20th St., Renton, WA 98056.

Gardening runs Friday in Scene and Sunday in Home/Real Estate. It is prepared by Mary Robson, Master Gardener program director, Holly Kennell, Washington State University/King County Cooperative Extension agent, Susan Miller, integrated pest management specialist, and volunteer Master Gardeners.