Drying & Preserving Fall Herbs

 Thyme patiently waiting in the garden to be harvested

 

Quite often, one of the things that lives the longest in your garden is your herbs. In my garden the only thing left holding on is some fall greens (kale, chard, arugula) and my hardy herbs. They will not, however last forever, so now is a good time to pick them and preserve the savoury seasonings for use throughout the winter. There are a few different means of doing this:

1) Overwinter herbs: 

Some herbs will happily be brought inside in pots to live over winter. I have had greatest success with hardy thick branched herbs such as rosemary & lavender

My herbs (& hot pepper) brought inside for the winter. They love living on the radiator!

2) Drying herbs -
*Great for making herbal teas or adding to your spice rack 

-Cut healthy branches of herbs in the mid-morning, make sure they are dry

-Remove any insects, browned leaves, and bottom foilage

- Bundle 4-6 branches, tie with string or a rubber band

-Hang bundle upside down to dry.
-To aid in drying place in a paper bag (with holes punched in it for air circulation)

-Let herbs dry completely, check regularly to ensure leaves are not moulding

-Break herbs up lightly, and store in an air-tight container (small glass canning jars work great) 

-Store in a dark, dry, cool area

3) Herbed Vinegars & Oils: 

*Perfect to add to recipes, salad dressings, and spicing up sauces. 

-Pick healthy herbs in the mid-morning

-Rinse & dry

-Sterilize glass jars (use decorative or canning jars)

-Slightly bruise herbs and stuff into the jars that you are using (Fill jar about 1/8 with herbs)

-Warm oil or vinegar in a saucepan

-Fill jar, covering herbs

-Let solution cool, place a lid or cork on bottle. 

-Let steep in a dark, cool place for two weeks

-Strain out herbs, or leave in for a stronger flavour

There are a lot of recipes available on-line or in books. Some suggestions of tasty combinations include: 

Apple Cider Vinegar & Tarragon or Rosemary

Red Wine Vinegar & Parsley, Thyme, Oregano or Rosemary

Rice Vinegar and Rosemary or Thyme

Olive Oil & Thyme or Rosemary

Sunflower Oil with Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Tarragon, Orgegano

*Note, you can combine your favourtie herbs together, many people add garlic & chillies too. Experiment!
Also thought I would add a link to the delicious looking recipe for Lemon Balm Cashew Pesto