Myrtle

[merryberry]

Have ordered some dried myrtle just because it was there when I was doing my online shop. What on earth is it good for? It's nice to get to 37 and still be suprised by food ingredients.

Or shall I just smoke it?

With its wonderfully fragrant flowers, myrtle is an excellent herb to grow in the garden or in containers, and is also an excellent culinary herb.

The dark green leaves are particularly aromatic when crushed. An excellent substitute for bay leaves, they have a warm, spicy, fruity flavour, which is ideal for soups, especially parsnip soup, and casseroles. They also work well mixed in with roast vegetables.

Myrtus communis (Myrtle)

Myrtle really comes into its own at this time of year. Myrtle wreaths laden with dark purple-blue berries make a stunning yuletide decoration in the home, while Jekka also uses the berries in a stuffing for the Christmas goose, along with tarragon, apricots, oranges and any other herbs that look good.

Poetry, pure poetry:-) thank you! Am going to do all the above until dp begs for mercy and the pot is empty.

They turned up in the delivery today, and the pot adds that they can be used as you would juniper berries. Not that I do, often, but am very tempted now. We're having goose this year, so mmm.

I think that myrtle and hyssop are the same plant. If so, then in the Middle East it is ground, mixed with sesame seeds, olive oil and salt, and used as a sort of season-all condiment. Mixed this way it keeps very well, and doesn't need to be refrigerated. Particularly nice with cream cheese, houmous, tahina, or sprinkled over mozzarella before grilling.

really - oooh, off to research that a bit and try it! thanks very much.

It's called zaatar (or zatar - you can't really spell it in English).