Rosemary:

— La'NA'

The name rosemary—including Rosmarinus officialis and Rosemary Labiate/Lamiaceae—means dew of the sea, which is a reference to its pale blue, dew-like flowers as well as to its origination upon the rocky coastlines of the Southern Mediterranean.  Enjoyed since ancient times, rosemary possesses a wonderfully rich history that extends beyond its culinary or medicinal value.

Long ago, it became a symbol of remembrance and friendship, and was used in bridal wreaths as a sign of love and fidelity.  Burned as incense in Ancient Greece, the herb was believed sacred to the goddess Artemis, the huntress.  During the 16th century, branches of Rosemary were gilded and tied with ribbons and then given to guests at weddings or to friends as New Year’s tokens of good fortune; branches were also used in Christmas decorations along with holly and yew.

Its culinary applications are more prevalent today than any other purpose, with lamb and pork being the most well-known recipients of the seasoning.  Vinegars, marinades and salad dressings also are excellent ways to utilize this wonderful herb.

Rosemary, additionally, is frequently applied in the treatment of migraine headaches.  The leaves are loaded with essential oils and work wonders in your bath for an invigorating soak.

The leaves, in fact, are the only part of the plant used in culinary or medicinal ways.

Rosemary is not safe to use if you are epileptic or pregnant.  In such cases, you should use the herb only in food.

Because rosemary is an evergreen, it will survive once it is well-established.  Actually, the herb can tolerate much colder conditions than what is commonly believed.  At the same time, it does not exist well inside as a houseplant, as rosemary is vulnerable to the white powder mildew.  If you are growing an indoor plant with this problem, washing it with a mixture of half water and half white vinegar should help it to remain healthy.

Now, I’ll take a moment to share my favorite rosemary uses in the kitchen!

Rosemary and Garlic Vinegar

18 oz cider vinegar

4 garlic cloves, sliced

3 sprigs fresh rosemary

Pour off approx. half the vinegar.  Add the garlic and rosemary to the bottle, and then pour the vinegar back into the bottle.  Seal tightly and let sit in a sunny or warm spot for about 3 weeks.

You can then remove the sprigs and garlic, and replace with fresh for visual appeal.

For another way to enjoy rosemary, break a few sprigs, wash, and simply toss into whatever dish you wish to flavor.  Do this during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time.  Rosemary adds a delicate yet savory flavor to chicken soup.  Stir-fried into vegetables, it is just awesome!

Enjoy some rosemary this season, either in your kitchen, bath or as a pretty decoration on your Christmas packages.

Happy Holidays!

Bea & Mike Kunz, Sage Hill Farms

www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

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