Friday, October 5, 2012

Whole Lotta Lovage

Lucie gave some little sprouts of lovage to me this summer.  I think she grew some earlier, but bunnies ate the tender little leaves.  Anyway, every bit of a lovage plant can be used.  The roots, leaves, seeds.....It can be used for a salt substitute, tea, soups, salads, and a spice, it is used in a cordial to add to brandy in the UK.  I can say that it adds quite a bit to chicken stock.  In German it is called maggikraut, due to the fact it taste like Maggi soup seasoning.  The official name in German for is liebstockel -  "love sticklet".  The original origin of the name lovage  "love ache" medieval for parsley and probably a corruption of the French word levesche.  

I am trying to make lovage vinegar after researching recipes and ways to preserve it.  One bottle for me and one for Lucie.  


The instructions are clear that you should not use too many leaves for this, as lovage is quite strong!  It tastes quite a bit like a strong celery.  Leave the bottles in a cool, dry place for a couple weeks, then use for dressings and sauces.


The plant is said to grow quite tall by the second year, in the right conditions.    


Lovage: 
 1. (n.) An umbelliferous plant (Levisticum officinale), sometimes used in medicine as an aromatic stimulant.

                                                                     Umbelliferous:
1. (a.) Of or pertaining to a natural order (Umbelliferae) of plants, of which the parsley, carrot, parsnip, and fennel are well-known examples



Some links to check out regarding lovage:

http://www.recipesource.com/side-dishes/beverages/alcohol/01/rec0196.html
http://oldfashionedliving.com/lovage.html

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