Many countries in Europe cultivate the beautiful poppy for its nutritive seed, which are added to a variety of foods ranging from pancakes and breads to vegetable and pasta dishes.
Poppy seeds contain 50% edible fixed oil that has been included in oil painting materials for many centuries. In fact, it’s considered by some to be a superior oil for that purpose. It belongs to the class of drying oils which includes linseed and hemp seed oils.
Because poppy seed is a favorite food for birds, poppy is also known as mawseed.
Use to flavor bagels, pastries, pretzels, cakes and candies, as well as coleslaw and salad dressings. In the Middle East, poppy seeds are added to chutneys, curries, kormas, roasted root vegetables, casseroles and au gratin dishes. They are also fried in butter just until fragrant and then mixed into hot pasta.
