I grow quite a lot of basil in my vegetable garden. I grow it between the tomato plants. I love this easy method of preserving it and also, I like to make pesto and freeze it.
How to Preserve fresh Basil
I have never tried companion planting before. I grew my own Genovese basil transplants this year and so had quite a few and decided to plant them next to tomato plants, as I had heard that is a good combination. It must be. I've never had such glorious basil before! The basil is on the left next to the tomato plant.
I went out this afternoon and cut a basketful of the fresh basil.
Then I removed the leaves from the stems, washed them well and gave them a few spins in the salad spinner.
Next I chopped them in the food processor and put them into a quart jar.
Finally, I covered them with raw apple cider vinegar and put a lid on the jar.
If my house was cooler, I'd just let it sit in a cupboard, but the house gets pretty hot this time of year, so I will store it in the refrigerator. When I want basil for cooking (pesto, spaghetti sauce, pizza, soup, roast, chicken.. etc.) I can just retrieve what I need and it will be like having fresh basil all year!
I went out this afternoon and cut a basketful of the fresh basil.
Then I removed the leaves from the stems, washed them well and gave them a few spins in the salad spinner.
Next I chopped them in the food processor and put them into a quart jar.
Finally, I covered them with raw apple cider vinegar and put a lid on the jar.
If my house was cooler, I'd just let it sit in a cupboard, but the house gets pretty hot this time of year, so I will store it in the refrigerator. When I want basil for cooking (pesto, spaghetti sauce, pizza, soup, roast, chicken.. etc.) I can just retrieve what I need and it will be like having fresh basil all year!
That's awesome! I'm hoping to have more basil than I know what to do with. Does the vinegar taste come through?
ReplyDeleteSure it would, but I use this in soups, not as a direct condiment, and I squeeze out the vinegar. I've also been known to use the vinegar in salad dressing when there is extra.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. Am I right that you put the cigar vinegar right to the top of the basil in the jar? I have basil that needs preserving right now and will try this. I do dry some but don't want to use that as the only way to preserve it. I wish there was a way to preserve it so it can be used in sandwiches when it is no longer growing in the garden. :) Basil is a favorite of ours. Sarah
ReplyDeleteNot all the way to the top. I probably leave 1/2 inch headspace so it won't spill when I open it. I've heard of people chopping basil up, filling ice trays and pouring olive oil over it and freezing it into little lumps. As for the fresh, you might be able to grow some on a sunny windowsill.
DeleteI save basil 3 ways. I dry it and crumble then put in an old spice jar. I make pesto in 4 oz and 8 oz jars and freeze. Last I dig up one or 2 of my plants and bring them in for the winter.
ReplyDeleteAthanasia, my plants are gigantic. Can I just cut one or two back, pot them and will they grow in the house for the winter? That would be really nice.
DeleteI can almost smell that basil. What a lovely fresh aroma whafting around your kitchen. Pesto is so good
ReplyDeleteReading your reply made my mouth water!
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