Meet Levisticum officinale – lovage - a
tall perennial plant with a lengthy history of cultivation in Europe.
The plant in the photo resides in our kitchen
garden and stands about as tall as I am.
Uncommon here in the states - on the other
side of the big pond the seeds of this plant are utilized as a
spice (celery seed), the leaves as an herb and the roots as a vegetable. There’s one additional use unique to this
household That I will get to in a moment.
Although it is unrelated genetically lovage tastes like celery, along with mild undertones of parsley and
hint of anise. It's mild enough to use with the preparation of fish and poultry
and has just enough spice to keep your cooking interesting.
Most of you readers know that I make my own scratch
tomato juice from from tomatoes cultivated in my garden. If you use the ever-famous Uncle Dick’sTomato Juice as the foundation of the Bloody Mary adult cocktail the hollow
petioles of this plant make great straws. Yup, the stems can be used as a
homegrown, biodegradable (and tasty) straw. Finished with your drink – toss your
straw in the composter.
Raising a toast
to backyard homesteading.
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