Color Mania #5: Hibiscus Squash

Hibiscus squash!!!!! yes, making a flower squash was a very impressive idea which my sis suggested. I was equally thrilled about it too :)

Hibiscus is also called as sorrel, rosemallow, flor de Jamaica and Sembaruthi in Tamil. Its a very beautiful flower and it blooms in various colors like red, pink, white, yellow and so on. Wikipedia says there are around 200 species of these flowers.

I have used the regular red hibiscus flower to make this reddy red squash.

Its simply a yummy, vibrant and attractive drink to welcome your guest. :)

Note: Sharp eyesight should definitely catch the second glass seen at the stem of my goblet ;)

Color Mania #5: Red

Did you know?

• Red represents beauty in many languages and cultures, including Russia.
• In India, a red mark on the forehead is said to bring good luck.
• Islamic, Hindu, and Chinese brides traditionally wear red.
• In England, red phone booths and red double decker buses are national icons. Standard British pillar boxes (mail boxes) have been painted red since 1874.
• Chinese New Year is celebrated by wearing red clothing and decorating the house with red. Red envelopes with "luck money" are given to unmarried children to bring good fortune to them for the rest of the year.
• The longest wavelength of light is red.
• Red is the highest arc of the rainbow.
• Bees can't see the color red, but they can see all other bright colors. Red flowers are usually pollinated by birds, butterflies, bats, and wind, rather than bees.

I have a favorite red t.shirt that I love to wear. I don't care if the bulls get attracted ;)

Ingredients:

Hibiscus flowers - 20
Water - 1/2 liter
Sugar - 2 cups
Lemon - 1

Method:

Collect hibiscus(Sembaruthi) flowers and take the petals alone. Wash them cleanly and soak them in 1/2 liter of hot water overnight.

Strain them and remove the petals from the water. Now the water would have turned red. Take the water in a pan and add sugar to it. Boil until the sugar dissolves and bubbles well. Remove from flame and add juice of one lemon and mix well.

The squash would be really red enough. So you dont need to add any extra food color to it.

Hibiscus squash is ready to use. :)

Add 1/3 glass of squash and mix in plain soda or water to it and serve chill :)

You can store the hibiscus squash in refrigerator for 6 months.

Happy making :) Enjoy drinking :)

Method 2:

Soak the flower petals in lemon juice of two lemons over night. Remove the petals and pour in one liter of water to it and boil until it becomes nearly half the quantity.

Pour in 1/3 glass of syrup and mix soda or water to it. Add sugar or honey to get the desired sweetness.

Serve chill :)

Written by: Nithya
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