Round Robin: Preserving Herbs with Vinegar
Notes from Regional Herb Gardeners
By Pat Herkal
August/September 2003
RIVERTON, Wyoming—Summer visitors to our home are frequently greeted by the pungent aroma of vinegar. Gallon jars filled with various herb combinations and vinegar line the kitchen counter. For years, I’ve been practicing making small batches of flavored vinegars but in recent years have quadrupled the quantities so I can use them for birthday and Christmas gifts. Friends save me interesting jars and bottles, and I pick up corks and pretty labels when we travel.
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Vinegar making starts in late spring with chive and chive blossoms. Years ago I planted a chive hedge around my rose garden; box hedges don’t survive Zone 4 winters. Volunteers have popped up in every border and bed of the yard, making it our most abundant herb. The blossoms make a beautiful mauve vinegar with a hint of onion that is good with both meat and salads.
Tarragon, parsley, thyme and chervil are also ready to harvest early. I love the anise flavor tarragon adds to salads and salsas. One plant of French tarragon grows to giant proportions and is adequate for sharing with friends, family and the rest of the neighborhood. Chervil surprised me by transforming from a well-behaved row of an herb I wanted to try into a giant, perennial hedge. By lucky coincidence, I planted it at the end of the garden where a hedge is welcome. I like to mix it with a combination of herbs such as parsley, thyme, rosemary or oregano. I also have used it as a tasty substitute for celery.
Basil and garlic are favorite combinations — excellent in a good vinaigrette with mustard, olive oil and a dash of sugar. Vinegar made with purple basil turns a lovely pink. Fruit vinegars are probably my favorites, and we are lucky to have both cherries and raspberries growing. Their vinegar is a clear rose-red, and both are delicious splashed on fruit or green salads. Nasturtium flowers and leaves make a pretty, peppery vinegar. Borage adds a slight cucumber flavor and is an interesting shade of blue. Mint vinegar is great with lamb or salads. Freely volunteering dill works with both fish and potato dishes. Combinations are only limited by taste appeal and what is available in the garden or farmer’s markets. .