Herbs from My Garden: Rosemary

One of the first herbs that I planted in my garden was rosemary. This evergreen shrub doesn’t require any care at all; it grows so well on its own. It’s a drought resistant shrub that is also widely used for landscaping in California. I, however, grow it for the culinary reasons. Its narrow dark green leaves can be used fresh or dried. I harvest rosemary throughout the summer by cutting new stems above woody growth. I wash them, and using kitchen scissors, I cut off the aromatic leaves. I let them dry and afterwards I store my rosemary in a glass jar. Rosemary can be used in recipes that include potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. Grinded rosemary can be added to soups or stews. One of my favorite dishes with rosemary is baked potatoes with mushrooms, onions, and olive oil.