The Versatile Violet

The Versatile Violet Ruth Trimble Those of us who remember the Depression years recall that just like today, there were the haves and have-nots. A recurring theme throughout romantic literature of the times went something like this: Her eyes—one minute alight with expectancy, the next, clouded with doubt. Would he come? A slight sense of shame to have him see her ramshackle home, mixed with pride at its pristine cleanliness. Just then, a rap at the door. He's here! Rich, young Lochinvar steps across the humble doorsill as he presents her with a dewy corsage of violets, just like the flowers she'd seen gracing the furs of society debutantes. My, such elegance! The thought of those violets has haunted me ever since. No, I haven't yet been the lucky recipient of a violet corsage, but it is an annual delight to spot the first violet popping up almost overnight in the spring. At Granny's Cove the front yard is suddenly blanketed by masses of royal blue violets. The visual treat is indeed a gift in itself, but the violet possesses many other qualities. For instance, the raw leaves can be added to salads, or cooked with other greens—chock full of Vitamins A and C. The dried leaves steeped in water make a fine herbal tea. The syrup made with the blossoms is a good cough remedy, and the flowers can be candied. But here is my own favorite: Violet Jelly 2 cups blue violet blossoms 1 package Sure-Jell 2 tablespoons lemon juice 4 cups sugar Rinse the violet blossoms in cold water. Place them in a quart jar and cover with boiling water. Put a lid on the jar and let stand for several hours. (For a deeper color, let stand overnight in the refrigerator.) Strain out the violet blossoms. Add the lemon juice and Sure-Jell to two cups of the infusion and bring to a boil. Add the sugar and bring to a boil again. Boil hard for one minute. Pour into glasses and seal. Tastes like springtime! A lifelong resident of Kingsport, Tennessee, Ruth Trimble has appeared several times previously in Appalachian Heritage. 66 ...