What to do with excess parsley and mint

[debetha]

Wish I had read this last year... had gallons of parsley then & was giving it away - didn't think to freeze it. But they it went woody & to seed. The new stuff is just coming through but it is tiny. Hopefully it will be as prolific as the last lot I planted!
On the upside the elderflower seedling looks like it is thriving so might have to try some cordial and sorbet - which is why i bought it
:-)

[Wonder]

There's lots of fantastic ideas, I've been using up quite a bit in mango and parsley smoothies, tabouli and will be making a salad of tomatoes and parsley. I'm yet to try the pesto and haven't used any of the mint!

[judydawn]

I always put some mint in with the parsley in the tabouli Wonder.

[Lellyj]

Me too!

[Cornish Cream]

On the upside the elderflower seedling looks like it is thriving so might have to try some cordial and sorbet - which is why i bought it
:-)

I'm always trying to eradicate them from our garden,pesky things There is a recipe for Elderflower Cordial in the Fast and Easy cookbook if you would like me to PM it to you.It says you will need 25 large elderflower heads.

[andiesenji]

When drying parsley that has developed seed heads and woody stems, I cut the stems fairly long and using an upholstery needle and "carpet" thread or upholsterers thread, string the stems and hang them top down and don't disturb them.  When dry, I put three or four head down in paper lunch bags, leave them a few more days and then simply squeeze and shake the bags.

I then cut a bottom corner off the bag to form a funnel so I can put the loose bits directly into jars (must be totally dry) for storage. 

This also works with other herbs and plants where you want to save the seeds, such as anise and dill, caraway, etc.

[Wonder]

Andie, what do you use the parsley seeds for? I normally just pull it up and throw the plant away once it's gone to seed.

[andiesenji]

The seeds have plenty of flavor - which actually gets stronger with drying.  You can put them in a spice grinder as the powder mixes better into soups and stews.

The only caveat in using parsley seed is to avoid use during pregnancy as it can affect some people like a diuretic and pregnant women have enough of that going on already.

[jkmt]

You are a font of knowledge Andie! It's amazing the wide variety of stuff you are able to tell us. Thanks!

[fundj&e]

jkmt ,I replant them 

[andiesenji]

You are a font of knowledge Andie! It's amazing the wide variety of stuff you are able to tell us. Thanks!

I have quite a few books about herbs and at one time had a very extensive herb garden.  Some things just stick in my head. 
My great grandmother considered herself an herbalist and when I was a child, used to dose one of my great uncles with parsley for his gout - and her treatments worked better than that of the local doctor. 

I have to grow parsley (and similar plants) in the shade here because the direct sunlight and heat will cause them to bolt too soon.  However we do have a very long growing season, most years, so I do successive plantings, about a month apart. 
I use more of the Italian flat-leaf variety so plant ten of these to every one of the curly leaf which has much less flavor.

[achookwoman]

Mint sauce and mint jelly?

[debetha]

On the upside the elderflower seedling looks like it is thriving so might have to try some cordial and sorbet - which is why i bought it
:-)

I'm always trying to eradicate them from our garden,pesky things There is a recipe for Elderflower Cordial in the Fast and Easy cookbook if you would like me to PM it to you.It says you will need 25 large elderflower heads.

Yes please Denise that would be amazing. Although might not get the 25 heads this year.

I remember lots of elderflowers in our garden in the UK growing up, dad used to make wine with it. But had to hunt around a bit to find it here. Didn't realise it could be a nuisance though.

Cheers

Deb

[Cornish Cream]

Recipe sent Deb,should be in your PM box.