Sara shares five more delectable treasures ripe for picking in the Culinary Herb Garden. Now is the time to cut and save this year’s incredible bounty for the months ahead.
Dill – This delicious herb speaks for itself and pairs well with just about anything! It will be wonderful to have it along side cucumbers this year. Dill has beneficial elements, including reducing risk of heart disease due to it being packed with flavonoids. It may help in facilitating digestion, relieving gas and improving appetite. Please do not cut too low for this herb!
More Cilantro
Rosemary – harvest by snipping a 1″-2″ sprig or two with scissors. This herb pairs beautifully with many foods and is popular in Mediterranean dishes. Its citrusy and woodsy flavor is delicious when infused in olive oil or vinegar or roasted with meats. Rosemary has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and is thought to improve memory. It’s also been used as a symbol of remembrance and friendship for centuries. Don’t forget, the flowers of all the herbs are completely edible.
Stevia – This is a natural non nutritive sweetner and herbal supplement that may have several health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, glycosides that help to lower blood pressure, and may have beneficial effects on gut health. Try a little snip off the top, very sweet and a little goes a long way!
Husk Cherries – Look carefully underneath the plants in the Culinary Herb Garden, because the husk cherries are just starting to be ripe and ready for picking. They are located in the back of the culinary garden on the far left as you face the high tunnel greenhouse. Sometimes called ground cherries, these nightshades are nestled in a lantern-shaped husk with yummy light orange ‘cherries’ inside.
Similar to cherry tomatoes in appearance, their flavor is slightly sweet and tropical, often compared to a mix of strawberry, mango and pineapple with a gentle acidity. An heirloom dating back to the mid-19th century, this simple-to-grow veggie was once a staple in most home gardens. Preferring the same conditions and ripening time as tomatoes, husk cherries are protected by crinkly, tan husks and tend to be more hardy and resistant to common pests and diseases.
*Look for the ones that have already dropped from the plants!*
