Wednesday, September 14, 2011

All That Basil


By this time each year, my basil plants have grown tall and full of basil leaves. Although I harvest the basil throughout the season, this time of year is when I spend a lot of time preserving it. Basil is a very aromatic and versatile herb that can be used in numerous dishes and teas, and so I like to have it on hand during the winter for soups, pastas, vegetable dishes, and salads.


Harvesting
The best time to harvest basil is the early morning after the dew has dried. Try to harvest before the plant flowers for optimum flavor.To harvest basil cut at a leaf joint about three to six inches from the top. The basil will continue...[Read the rest of this post over at Your Gardening Friend...]

©Michelle A. Potter
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44 comments:

  1. Autumn BelleSeptember 14, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    I grow basil and I like pesto. I have never tried preserving basil leaves. Thank you very much for the recipe and method!

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  2. Bumble Lush GardenSeptember 14, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    All that basil looks fantastic! We froze a lot of basil leaves last year, and it worked fine when we needed to defrost it for sauces, etc. Your pesto looks delicious!

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  3. MargueriteSeptember 14, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    This post is such a good reminder for me. I planted lots of basil this year expecting a large tomato harvest to go with it. Unfortunately the tomatoes didn't make it but I still have lots of basil! Thanks to your tips I'll be collecting my basil in the coming weeks and preserving it.

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  4. KimberleySeptember 14, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    I too have been harvesting basil all summer. I really like the fresh leaves on homemade pizza cooked over the grill.

    Do you ever toast your pine nuts before mixing them into the pesto? It smells wonderful, and intensifies the nutty flavor. I also add them last, so they don't become completely pulverized in the processor!

    I spoon my pesto sauce in ice cube trays, then when they're frozen, pop them into zipper freezer bags to store all winter.

    I'm becoming a fan of your site!

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  5. Island ThreadsSeptember 14, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    looks like you have a good harvest Michelle, you must be enjoying your new herb garden, Frances

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  6. HolleyGardenSeptember 14, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    I've never grown basil, but it is a pretty plant. It looks nice in your basket. I bet it tastes fabulous - I'm beginning to wonder why I've never grown it!

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  7. agreenearthSeptember 14, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Your basil looks great. So good for summer pesto.

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  8. Patrick's GardenSeptember 14, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Your plants look so healthy. Good tips for every one.

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  9. alison@thisbloominglifeSeptember 15, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    Pesto, pesto and more pesto. When the leaves are young and fresh, the best smell. The smell alone tells you when you are too late!

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  10. OneSeptember 15, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    I grow basil too but frankly have not been consuming it. I really must learn to use it. So far I am more used to using herbs like lemon grass... Thanks for sharing.

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  11. The Sage ButterflySeptember 15, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    @Autumn Belle You are welcome, Autumn Belle. It is obviously one of my favorite herbs.

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  12. The Sage ButterflySeptember 15, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    @Bumble Lush Thanks, Bumble Lush. I actually like it frozen better than dried, but I prepare both.

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  13. The Sage ButterflySeptember 15, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    @Marguerite That's great, Marguerite. I will be doing another batch of freezing, drying, and making pesto next week.

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  14. The Sage ButterflySeptember 15, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    @Kimberley I do toast the pine nuts or walnuts for the pesto from time to time. Thanks for the reminder for others reading the post. And I love your tip of putting the pesto in ice cube trays...excellent!

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  15. The Sage ButterflySeptember 15, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    @Island Threads I am, Frances, it is so nice to fill it up with goodies.

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  16. The Sage ButterflySeptember 15, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    @HolleyGarden Thanks, Holley. It is very easy to grow.

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  17. The Sage ButterflySeptember 15, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    @Greenearth Thanks...it is one of my faves.

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  18. The Sage ButterflySeptember 15, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    @Patrick's Garden Thanks, Patrick. I am glad you liked the post.

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  19. The Sage ButterflySeptember 15, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    @alison@thisbloominglife That's true, Alison. The leaves will let you know.

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  20. The Sage ButterflySeptember 15, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    @One You are welcome...I need to add some lemon grass to my garden.

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  21. ANGELSeptember 15, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    hmmm...i can smell your basil from here (hehehe). wonderful photos! time for pesto :) happy gardening!
    -angel

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  22. Noel MorataSeptember 15, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    aloha,

    that looks like the best for pesto making especially when you have alot to make :)

    love your previous post below also.

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  23. RebeccaSeptember 16, 2011 at 1:49 AM

    I love basil and I love pesto even more! I make and freeze a ton each year, but I always run out before spring... Maybe next year I'll plant a row of basil in the vegetable garden :)

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  24. ChristinaSeptember 16, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    Good post. My basil grows so fast here in Lazio that I have to harvest very regularly to stop it flowering. Traditional Pesto alla Genovese has a mixture of Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino (sheep's milk cheese) witch adds another subtle layer of flavour. Rucolaalso makes a great pesto, especially during winter when that is fresh in the garden. When making pasta al pesto it is usual to add quite a bit of the pasta cooking water, this means that the sauce is not so heavy. Christina

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  25. Asha RamSeptember 17, 2011 at 4:38 AM

    Those leaves are healthy! I seem to have basil plants all over my container garden. Well, I can't complain because they add a lovely touch of green to the terrace. :)

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  26. Cathy and SteveSeptember 17, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    This post has been so helpful! We grow lots of basil and your ideas for preserving it are fabulous. Guess what I'm doing tomorrow!

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  27. The Sage ButterflySeptember 17, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    @ANGEL Thanks, Angel. Enjoy your pesto!

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  28. The Sage ButterflySeptember 17, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    @noel Thanks, Noel. I am so glad you stopped by and enjoyed the posts.

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  29. The Sage ButterflySeptember 17, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    @Rebecca Like you, I have sometimes run out of it before the new season starts. I have basil in the herb garden and the vegetable garden. :)

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  30. The Sage ButterflySeptember 17, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    @Christina I bet pesto with Pecorino is delicious. I may try that version sometime. You have offered some great tips. Thanks!

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  31. The Sage ButterflySeptember 17, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    @Asha Ram Basil is sometimes too lovely to harvest leaves. I can imagine your terrace as very beautiful with all the basil.

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  32. The Sage ButterflySeptember 17, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    @Cathy and Steve I am so glad you were able to get some ideas. Happy basil preserving!

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  33. Casa MariposaSeptember 18, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    I made a lot of pesto this summer but should have made more and frozen it. I still have plenty of leaves to harvest so thanks for the drying method!

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  34. ShyrleneSeptember 18, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    You had me at "Pesto"!! Ummmm....

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  35. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Thanks for the basil tips. A friend of mine would make a tremendous batch of pesto, and then freeze portions of it in an ice cube tray. When he was in the mood for the taste, just pop out a cube or two. Enjoy!

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  36. The Sage ButterflySeptember 19, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    @Casa Mariposa You are welcome! I like how the flavors come alive in soups when adding dried basil.

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  37. The Sage ButterflySeptember 19, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    @Shyrlene LOL! Thanks for visiting!

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  38. The Sage ButterflySeptember 19, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    @nittygrittydirtman Excellent tip! Thanks for visiting!

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  39. MalarSeptember 19, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    I have Basil too in the garden! I love their sweet smell!

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  40. littlekarstarSeptember 20, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    I cannot wait for warmer weather for basil growing! I like growing them around my tomatoes. Yum.

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  41. HpuletzSeptember 21, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    A neighbor was going out of town and had me watch her basil plant. I was amazed how I could smell the herb in my kitchen. I'm glad you said that about not tearing the leaves when drying them...I'm a newbie and wouldn't have known that.

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  42. The Sage ButterflySeptember 22, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    @Malar Malar, I love the smell, too. And I am so glad it is easy to harvest and preserve.

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  43. The Sage ButterflySeptember 22, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    @Mrs Bok - The Bok Flock Me, too. According to the companion planting gurus, basil improves the flavor of tomatoes...yummy!

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  44. The Sage ButterflySeptember 22, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    @Hpuletz You are welcome, Hpuletz. It does seem to permeate the air when it is indoors. Thanks for stopping by.

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