Garden Heights features Incredible Edibles

Incredible Edibles
April – May 2009

Urban Herbs!
What would spaghetti sauce be without basil or oregano, salsa without cilantro
or lamb without Rosemary? Grow your own fresh herbs this summer!
(Visit the Herb Page for a complete listing and recipes.)

Cilantro

Cilantro
Coriandrum sativum (Annual) Culinary. The leaves are pungently aromatic and are used extensively in Southwestern, Middle Eastern and Asian cooking. The seeds are called Coriander and are a popular spice. 2'. It was highly regarded as an aphrodisiac from the times of the early Greek, Roman and Egyptian civilisations to the Middle Ages when it was an ingredient of love potions.

Rosemary
Rosmarinum officinalus (Tender Perennial) All Rosemaries are tender perennials. Culinary and Medicinal. It is an ancient, savory herb, especially popular in Italian dishes. Rosemary has dense, aromatic, needle-like leaves with woody stems. The leaves are antiseptic, anti-oxidant and aid in the digestion of fat. The essential oil is antibacterial, antifungal and invigorating. It relieves muscular pain and stimulates circulation. The herb of memory, said to quicken the mind and prevent forgetfulness. Rosemary was burnt at shrines in Ancient Greece to drive away evil spirits and illnesses.

Rosemary

Stevia

Stevia
Stevia rebaudiana (Tender Perennial) Culinary. Also known as Sweet Herb of Paraguay. The sugar heb. Leaves of this herb contain a substance called Stevioside that is 300 times sweeter than sugar without the calories. Chew leaves for a burst of sweetness. 3'

Basil
Ocimum Basilicum (Annual) Culinary and Medicinal. Warm spicy tasting leaves on square stems. The leaves are used in many different cusines. They also repel mosquitoes, expel worms, treat ringworm, snakebite, insect bites and acne. Basil is a Hindu's passport to paradise. Basil is native to India, and was held in great reverence. Indians used basil to swear their oaths upon in court. In Italy, basil symbolises love. In Mexico it is carried around in the hope of returning a lover’s roving eye.

Basil

Incredible Edible Vegetables!
(Visit more information visit the Tomato Page for complete listings.)

Are you looking for different varieties of tomatoes for your garden? Try one of the following heirlooms or one of our many organic varieties this summer. If you are a tomato lover, these heirlooms are a must!

Boxcar Willie

Green Zebra

Mortgage Lifter

Orange Oxheart

Ananas Noire-Black Pineapple

Aunt Ruby's German Green

Vegetables
There is nothing better than cooking with vegetables fresh from the garden.
Try it yourself and get hooked!
(Visit the Vegetable page for more information and complete listings including recipes! )