How to Preserve Seasonings: Herbs Today, Preserves Tomorrow

preserve

What do you do when you have bunches of herbs reaching maturity at the same time? Preserve them!  

Preserving herbs for seasonings involves traditional techniques that use salt, oil, sugar, alcohol, vinegar, and a few other simple ingredients. 

The following is an excerpt from Preserving Food without Freezing or Canning. It has been adapted for the web.


Preserve Seasonings in Vinegar

Basil

  • Basil
  • Cider vinegar
  • Small jars and lids

To keep basil fresh for salads, all you have to do is chop some and place it in a small jar with some good cider vinegar. Store the jar in a cool place, and enjoy this valuable seasoning anytime!

Jacqueline Clossett, Belgium


Preserve Pickled Garlic

  • preserve1 lb. garlic
  • 1 quart water
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • Bay leaves
  • Black peppercorns
  • 1 cup vinegar<
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • A saucepan
  • Small jars and lids

Peel the garlic. Boil one quart of water with one tablespoon of salt. Add the garlic and continue to boil for three to five minutes. Drain the garlic.

Fill small jars with the garlic, one bay leaf, and five black peppercorns.

Boil the vinegar along with one-half cup of water and sugar, pour this mixture over the garlic, and immediately close the jars. The garlic will keep for a very long time, and is particularly tasty in salads.

Ted Braam, Hagraulet-Du-Gers


Preserve Sage or Rosemary-Scented Vinegar

  • 1 lb. dried sage or rosemary flowers
  • 1/2 quart wine vinegar
  • A glass jar or bottle with cork or lid
  • A fine cloth
  • Bottles with corks or lids

Soak the dried flowers in a glass jar filled with wine vinegar. Close the jar and leave it in the sun for eight to ten days. Then filter the contents through a fine cloth, twice. Store this fragrant vinegar in tightly closed bottles.

Michel Guerville, Dannes


Recommended Reads

Tips & Tricks for Harvesting and Drying Herbs

Mastering the Actions of Herbs

 

Read The Book

Preserving Food without Freezing or Canning

Traditional Techniques Using Salt, Oil, Sugar, Alcohol, Vinegar, Drying, Cold Storage, and Lactic Fermentation

$16.25

Enter your email to sign up for our newsletter and save 25% on your next order

Recent Articles

sourdough

How to Make a Sourdough Starter: Everything You Need to Know Starter Guide

Sourdough begins through spontaneous fermentation—essentially by getting your wheat wet! All you need to start a batch is flour and water.

Read More
potpie

Winter Root Veggie Potpie: A Seasonal Recipe

Looking for new ways to use those winter root veggies throughout the season? Put your cooking skills to the test with this Root Veggie Potpie recipe! The following is an excerpt from Black Trumpet by Evan Mallett. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Winter Root Veggie Potpie When I was born, my mother…

Read More
vinegar in soup

Vinegar in Soup: The Soup-er Secret Ingredient

Move aside, chicken noodle and tomato bisque! We’re trying out some new soups with one ingredient in common: vinegar. Flavorful and unique, these recipes will have you including vinegar in soup for years to come. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Vinegars by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. Adding Vinegar in…

Read More
indoor gardening

6 Tips and Tricks for Indoor Gardening

Craving a fresh harvest during the winter months? Try indoor gardening to grow fresh greens and more year-round! Here are 6 articles to jump-start your indoor harvest and get you growing in no time. Must Have Tools for Successful Indoor Gardening The process of producing high-quality food inside requires time and attention, along with the…

Read More

The Ultimate Good Sweet: Upside Down Apple Pie

Make an irresistible upside down apple pie with this easy recipe. No pie crust skills needed! “Secretly” healthy apple pie for a guilt-free sweet treat.

Read More