what to do with my fresh oregano?

**rsbs** · 05-11-2009, 10:01 AM

I have oregano coming out of my ears in my garden. It's about to go to seed, so I need to do something with it.
I don't have a dehydrator & I live in a VERY humid climate with no-where to really hang - dry it, so I'm stuck.
How can I preserve it so it won't go to waste?

**Missy** · 05-11-2009, 10:21 AM

Get a bottle, tall and thin. Put some in there pretty tightly after washed and dried. Pour in some olive oil, add a few garlic cloves...put top on tightly. Let sit on the counter for a day or so to let the flavors meld, store in the fridge. You can do the same with vinegar. Use the oil or vinegar as an infusion.

Get a few good bunches, tie with a pretty little ribbon. Take it to a friends house, as random gift, LOL, then they have to figure out what to do with some of it!!

Um, Oh!! Use some fresh in a pesto or a tomato sauce, then freeze and store the sauce.

Freeze it as it is, in a single layer on a sheet pan. Once frozen, put into a freezer container, a sturdy one so it doesn't get crushed. Pick out what you need for a recipe as you need it.

If you are looking to give some away, thry to post an offer for it on your local freecycle.

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-11-2009, 12:18 PM

Pinch off the flowering parts of the oregano and toss it in the compost. Oregano can be very vigorous here in the midwest and I have it 10 months of the year. You can cut it to the ground and it will grow back. We have 80% humidity during the warmer months and I just lay stalks of it on paper towels on the kitchen counter. It dries just fine within a few days. I re-use empty spice jars, strip the leaves when it has dried and fill the jars. I won't do that for a few months yet. During the spring and summer I use it fresh.

You can lay it on a cookie sheet in a barely heated oven, it will dry faster, but it also makes the leaves turn brown.

I also send it to work with my husband, if he has anyone in his office who cooks and would like it.

**Grainlady** · 05-11-2009, 07:16 PM

[QUOTE=Missy;1171155]Get a bottle, tall and thin. Put some in there pretty tightly after washed and dried. Pour in some olive oil, add a few garlic cloves...put top on tightly. Let sit on the counter for a day or so to let the flavors meld, store in the fridge. QUOTE]

Missy -

You gave some great hints, other than making olive oil and garlic. This is no longer considered safe due to the potential for botulism.

Here's a link that will give you information on the subject:

Garlic in Oil - Safety and Health Effects

http://www.enotalone.com/article/10280.html

**Grainlady** · 05-11-2009, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by rsbs

I have oregano coming out of my ears in my garden. It's about to go to seed, so I need to do something with it.
I don't have a dehydrator & I live in a VERY humid climate with no-where to really hang - dry it, so I'm stuck.
How can I preserve it so it won't go to waste?

-I dry lots of herbs in the oven with the oven light on - even in a humid environment. Just remember it's in there and don't start the oven without taking it out. I put a large shocking pink post-it-note on the oven door to indicate there are some herbs in there.....

-You can fill small muslin bags with oregano leaves and add it to your bath. It's been recommended for relieving aches and stiff joints.

-The flowers of oregano dry nicely and can be used in herb and flower arrangements. You could use silica gel for drying them for a craft. How to: http://www.ehow.com/how_2040860_dry-...ilica-gel.html

-I start harvesting oregano when the plant is about 6-inches high. In June, when the plant is budding and it's hard to keep up with production, I'll cut the whole plant leaving only the lowest set of leaves. It will begin to all grow back in a couple weeks. I cut it back drastically again in August.

-It's okay to let much of your herbs "go to waste". If there's just too much for your needs (and all the neighbors, friends, relatives), it could be time to reduce the size or number of the plant/s, of just be content to see them growing in your garden without any guilt that they are edible.

**Judi Dial** · 05-12-2009, 02:50 PM

All of the above, except that what I'm going to be doing with my oregano, some of the chives, and some store-bought basil (and home grown) is making italian seasoning for gifts.

I have no recipe, but that's what I'm planning!

Also these herb rolls are yummy! We just made them last week with fresh chives, parsley, AND a little oregano!

See here:
http://www.finecooking.com/recipe/fr...-biscuits.aspx

judi

**Judi Dial** · 05-15-2009, 06:31 AM

btw, if you haven't dried herbs before, here's a fairly easy way to do it. Rinse off the plant material and remove any discolored or damaged leaves. Turn upside down. Put it inside a small paper bag, like a lunch bag, with the stem(s) possibly poking out the top. Wrap rubber bands or string around the stems. Attach carpet thread/string to the bag to hang in a closet. No drier required!

Or, you can simply attach carpet thread to the stems and hang them, not in the bag or in a closet. The herbs lose more potentcy faster this way, so I tend to only do this when I have no other room OR I'm going to use the stuff fairly quickly.

Judi