Date: 11:29 pm Sat Apr 13, 1996 Number : 77 of 100 From: Galen Starwalker Base : [PODS] Herbal Tips & Tricks To : All Refer #: None Subj: Culinary Herbs 23 Replies: None Stat: Sent Origin : 12 Apr 96 08:13:00 2.29.1 Growing marjoram and oregano ----- From Jennifer A. Cabbage : Marjoram grows as an annual up to two feet tall in most parts of the United States due to climate, but it is a perennial in its native north Africa, Portugal, and southwest Asia. Marjoram prefers a light, fairly rich, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil, with a pH from 7 to 8. It like full sun. Marjoram is easily grown from seed that is sown in spring, or by cuttings taken in the summer. It can be induced to be perennial by overwintering indoors in pots. When grown indoors it has a tendency to trail that makes it good for hanging baskets. Marjoram makes a good companion plant for eggplant, pumpkin and zucchini. The genus Origanum contains about 20 species, of which five are common in herb gardens. Oregano (O. vulgare) is a perennial, native to Asia, Europe, and northern Africa. Pot marjoram (O. onites) is a close relative of sweet marjoram that is native to the Mediterranean, and O. heracleoticum is native to southeast Europe. Oregano grows to 2.5 feet tall, and flowers from late July until September. It is a sprawling herb and is therefore not well suited for growing indoors. Pot marjoram grows to two feet tall, and neither it nor dittany of Crete are hardy in cold climates. Dittany of Crete grows to one foot tall, blooms in summer or autumn, and like Pot marjoram, grows as an annual in cold climates. Dittany of Crete grows well indoors due to its small size and its flavor is very similar to that of common oregano. Oregano likes light, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with full sun. Rich, moist soil makes the aroma and flavor of oregano weak. Oregano can be grown from seeds, stem cuttings, or root divisions, but seeds are sometimes slow to germinate. Also, plants grown from seed may not be true to the flavor of the parent plant, or may even be flavorless. Oregano makes a good companion plant for cauliflower but should not be planted with broccoli or cabbage. ===== 2.29.2 Harvesting marjoram and oregano ----- From Jennifer A. Cabbage : Marjoram: harvest the leaves as soon as blooming begins. They dry easily and can be frozen, but some people believe that drying the leaves actually improves the flavor, making it sweeter and more aromatic. Its flavor when fresh is closer to that of oregano. Harvest oregano leaves as plants begin to bloom. ===== 2.29.3 Using / preserving marjoram and oregano ----- From Jennifer A. Cabbage : Marjoram is great in tomato dishes, and with meats, onions, brussel sprouts, or mushrooms. Oregano is good with potato salad, fowl stuffing, peas, soups, scrambled eggs, omelets, tomato dishes, meats, beans, deviled eggs, spaghetti, chili, hamburgers and pizza. It is essential to Italian, Spanish, and Mexican dishes, and combines well with basil. Chicken Corn Soup with marjoram: 2 cups chicken stock 2 cups chopped potatoes 2 cups fresh corn kernels 2 cups chopped cooked chicken 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh marjoram salt and pepper Bring stock to a boil, add potatoes, cover, cook until potatoes are barely tender. Add corn and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in chicken and marjoram, add salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about another 10 minutes. ========== 2.30 Caraway ----- Latin name: Carum carvi ===== 2.30.1 Growing caraway ----- From Jennifer A. Cabbage : Caraway is a hardy biennial native to Europe and western Asia. It grows to 2 1/2 ft. tall. Caraway like full sun, and does well in dry heavy clay soil that has a moderate amount of humus (pH between 6 and 7.5). It doesn't like having its roots disturbed. Caraway is easily grown from seed that is sown in either early spring or in the fall. Seeds planted in September will flower and produce seed the following summer. It occasionally matures in the third summer of growth. Plant seeds 1/4 to 1/2 in. deep, they will germinate in 7 to 21 days, or more. Space seedlings 12 to 24 in. apart. ===== 2.30.2 Harvesting caraway ----- From Jennifer A. Cabbage : Harvest seeds as soon as they begin to ripen to avoid shattering of the fruits. They ripen from June to August of the second year. ===== 2.30.3 Using / preserving caraway ----- From Jennifer A. Cabbage : Roots taste like a combination of parsnips and carrots, and they can be boiled like a vegetable. Young shoots and leaves can be cooked with other vegetables or can be chopped into salads. The dry seeds are used in rye bread, sauerkraut, cheeses, applesauce, soups, salad dressings, apple pie, cabbage dishes, potatoes, and stew. Seeds contain small amounts of protein and vitamin B. ========== --- DB 1.58/003790 * Origin: The Rain Forest * Denver,CO * (93:9083/4)