Use it or lose it!

After the much-enjoyed cool down in our weather this week, I really started to switch gears and think about the holidays! Hard to believe but they will be here before we know it.  Because the holiday season is such a busy one, I try to prepare as much ahead of time as possible.  Taking advantage of my overflowing herb garden now will save me a lot of time and money at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It drives me crazy how expensive herbs are at the grocery store!  I make it in small very concentrated batches, and can always dilute it to make more when I use it. Hoping your herbs are still active and not frosted until Thanksgiving is quite a gamble, sometimes it works out. I prefer to have a sure bet.

The great things about this project are: no rules, no measurements, and it is so easy.  I use sage, rosemary, thyme, and basil.

Wash and dry your herbs (I use my salad spinner)

Add to blender or food processor with enough olive oil for the mixture to blend easily

Add two sticks of softened butter and combine

Add to air-tight freezer container, and cover with plastic wrap on the surface of the mixture.

And don’t forget to label! Take it from someone who has put unmarked containers in the freezer thinking “there’s no way I wouldn’t know what this is!” and later having no idea what it is.

 

Stephen Jones
Delaware County Master Gardener

 

 

More Herbs, Less Salt Day

 

It's a day late but August 29th was More Herbs, Less Salt Day....yes there really is a special day just for that. Visit; www.dayoftheyear.com for all the events that take place throughout the year.

So for More Herb Day how can you get involved. Start cooking more at home where you can control your addition of salt. There is so much salt in pre-packaged products that making a similar version of your own at home can cut you salt intake by many shakes.

Adding herbs to your dishes are so easy. This time of year with the garden at your fingertips adding fresh herbs should be a daily ritual. When you make that BLT, add basil to your mayonnaise, add fresh oregano to pasta dishes or pizza. Even a delivered pizza can be enhanced by adding chopped oregano or basil to the top. Add whole parsley leaves to any salad for an added punch of flavor and vitamins. Take some of your bountiful herbs and make herb butter, herb salt or herb sugars for the winter months. You can also dry your herbs for that tasty addition to any dishes over the cold months.

Enjoy More Herbs, Less Salt everyday of the year, not just August 29th.

Susan Liechty

Delaware County Master Gardener