Aromatic herbs are crucial in Italian cuisine, as you can make flavorful dishes with natural seasonings (to our advantage because too much salt and seasoning is not healthy).
Mediterranean aromatic plants should never be missing in our homes. You can plant them on the balcony or in a garden to beautify your home with the colors and scents of the different varieties of plants. In addition, you can always have fresh aromas depending on the season!
Basil is the king of herbs in an Italian kitchen. The plant can reach 1.6 feet in height, has an erect stem and roots from the ground. Did you know that there are more than 40 types of basil? Crazy!
Now it could be a great time to plant it with the help of your children! But how? Basil can be planted from March to May, depending on the outside temperatures (keep in mind that cold weather hurts basil). Basil likes to stay moist and requires about 1 inch of water every week.
The best time to harvest the leaves is during the first blooming because these contain more oils and therefore have a more intense aroma. Basil should never be stored in the fridge because low temperatures darken the leaves. To store it, simply wrap it in a damp cloth.
You can use basil to aromatize pretty much everything, but it’s an excellent ingredient for sauces (especially for the famous pesto & Marinara sauce at Vecchia Pizzeria!), fresh cheeses such as mozzarella, and any kind of summer vegetable.
Where do you like to put your basil? Comment below!
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