Harvest: Unexpected Projects Using 47 Extraordinary Garden Plants(Ten Speed Press, 2017), by Stefani Bittner and Alethea Harampolis is a guide to 47 projects that can be done using unexpected plants. These projects include beauty products, fragrances, cocktails, and more. The following excerpt is from Chapter 2, “Mid.”
Using salt to preserve herbs is a tried-and-true method that dates back centuries. It’s easy to do and wonderfully convenient, because it can be used as the basis for any marinade or salt rub for both meats and grilled vegetables. The fresh herbs permeate every ounce of the salt mixture and release a fragrant, intoxicating aroma that will preserve your garden harvest long after the garden has shifted into winter dormancy.
This recipe can be increased or decreased depending on the size of your harvest.
What You Need
• 15 to 20 stems of garden herbs, including dwarf winter savory, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and parsley
• 2/3 cup sea salt
Note: Makes 8-ounces
Instructions
1) Rinse the herbs in cool water and place them on a towel to dry.
2) Destem and coarsely chop the herbs’ leaves.
3) Add the salt to the herbs and continue to chop, mixing the two in the process. You want a coarse, not fine, texture.
4) Combine the herbs and salt in a jar, seal the lid securely, and refrigerate. The salt-preserved herbs will last up to a year.
More from Harvest:
• Elderflower-Infused Honey
• DIY Blueberry Dye
Reprinted with permission fromHarvest, by Stefani Bittner and Alethea Harampolis, copyright © 2017, published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. Photographs copyright © 2017 by David Fenton