Preserving Herbs

My Farmer’s Market is full of fresh herbs each week…..and that’s where I have to buy them. Herbs and natural remedies can be beneficial for your overall health. For example, benefits of chamomile include stress reduction, relaxation, and immune support. I had high hopes this year of growing my own. I picked out some really pretty plants at the Market and brought them home – thyme, rosemary, cilantro, and parsley. I was so tickled……and naïve. I know I can’t grow plants. What was I thinking? They died a slow, painful, dry death. Poor babies. My House = the place where plants come to die. So, I have been buying organic herbs here and there at the Market (see photo). I want to have some during the winter, so I decided to start freezing some. Here is the method that I use. I’ll also touch on a couple other options for you. This particular batch consisted of basil and cilantro.

First, wash the herbs well. They were grown outside (likely) and so dirt might be an issue….and bugs. God created bugs – I figure he knew what he was doing. Amen.

You want to make sure they are dried pretty well. I put mine into my awesome salad spinner – I found mine at the Goodwill for $3. Score! It’s fun to use it…admit it. It’s like a game. How fast can it go? WHHEEEEEE!

Spread the semi-dry herbs out on a cookie sheet. You can let them dry completely or you can be like me and get in a hurry. Give them space to freeze – don’t crowd the pan. I used one pan for cilantro and one pan for basil. Stick them in the freezer for an hour or two. I think mine were in there for two hours.

When they’re frozen, take them out of the freezer and put into labeled bags (or other storage) to put back into the freezer. I had to use the spatula because I have hot hands…..they will thaw fast, so work quickly. Since they’re frozen this way, they’re less likely to stick together in your bag. Now you have fresh herbs all winter long! You use them the same as you would use herbs directly from the garden. This method will work for just about any herb. Rosemary leaves will start to fall off of the stem when they’re in the freezer. No biggie….you will use them that way anyway. Less work for you! Woot!

Of course you can dry your herbs if you have a dehydrator. I have that on my wish list…..after a house, a new ice cream maker, and a better food processor. It’ll have to wait. You can dry your herbs without a dehydrator by letting them hang in a dry place. Here is a great tutorial at EHow.

You can also freeze your herbs in ice cube trays. This is a good option for basil. Fill your food processor pretty full with basil leaves that have been washed and dried in your salad spinner. As the basil chops, drizzle in a little bit of olive oil – just enough to coat the leaves. Otherwise it can turn dark in the freezer. Stir as needed. Process until you get the consistency that you like. It won’t take long. Put your processed basil into ice cube trays. Then they’re frozen, you can pop them out and store the cubs in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. Tomato basil soup anyone? Yum!