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

  • preserve 1 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

$25

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

Recent Articles

nightcap mocktail

Calming Herbal Nightcap Mocktail to Mix Before Bed

Elevate your evenings with this delightful non-alcoholic mocktail syrup. Whether you’re looking to relax before bed or want something new to add to your tea, this non-alcoholic herbal nightcap mocktail will do the trick.

Read More
mint salt

Mint Salt: A Fresh Take on Seasoning

Searching for a new way to utilize seasonings? Look no further than mint salt! This game-changer is bound to mix up the way you season meals in the future.

Read More

Fire Cider: A Healing, Warm Tonic

Fire Cider is great for stimulating digestion and warming you up from the inside out, no matter the season. This beverage can be prepared in water or tea as desired.

Read More
Bread Kvass

Homemade Kvass: Ancient Fermentation

Ready to shake up your fermentation game? Try making Kvass, the ultimate beginner-friendly recipe! This nourishing beverage calls for just a few simple ingredients and only takes a couple of days to ferment. It’s easy, delicious & perfect for beginners.

Read More
ghee

Cooking With Nutrient-Dense Fats: How to Make Ghee

Start your journey to making homemade ghee! Discover how to make this delicious staple and incorporate it into delicious recipes — like our Citrus-Glazed Chicken recipe. Get ready to level up your cooking game with homemade ghee!

Read More