Rosemary - Not the girl, the spice…silly….as in “parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme”, isn’t that the lyric?

One of the most pungent spices in the cabinet. Often described as “piney” in scent, rosemary is essential to mediterranean cooking. It is used in the chicken caccitore dish, March’s recipe of the month or ROM. The spice is slightly bitter and complements a wide variety of sauces, meats, including wild game. Rosemary gives off a distinct mustard smell when burnt and can be used to flavor barbeques.

Rosemary is a very hardy, perennial herb (more like a tree really) – once established is not easily gone. The good news is that it doesn’t spread throughout the garden like some. It also has excellent companion planting aspects, as it seems to have no natural predators. Plant it next to cabbages, beans and carrots to deter cabbage moths, bean beetles and carrot fly. Rosemary cultivars have white flowers, others blue or pink blooms.

Rosemary leaves as an herb can be used fresh or dried. Used in the “trinity” of Mediterranean cuisine – garlic, basil and rosemary, thyme or oregano (or a combo of all) – add any or all of these to a pomodoro sauce (tomato) and you’ll have heavenly sauce for pasta.

Rosemary has several “traditions” associated with it throughout the ages. Rosemary is associated with the goddess of love and beauty – Aphrodite, so it was common in bridal wreaths as a symbol of fidelity. In the middle ages brides would wear a rosemary headpiece, the groom and guests too. Thus rosemary evolved into a “love charm” herb. It was often used at funerals for a symbol of remembrance. Associated with remembrance, rosemary has a reputation for improving memory.

Health wise, rosemary has good amounts of calcium, iron and vitamin B6. Some research has shown that rosemary interferes with the absorption of iron in the diet, indicating that it should not be taken internally by persons with an iron deficiency. Other research shows that carnosic acid (found in rosemary) may shield the brain from free radicals, lowering stroke risks and neurodengerative diseases like Alzheimers. Also rosemary essential oil is potentially toxic if ingested.

Interesting Facts:

The name rosemary derives from the latin name rosmarinus, which is from “dew” (ros) and “sea” (marinus), or “dew of the sea” — apparently because it is frequently found growing near the sea
Another bit of “lore” – a sprig of rosemary under a pillow before sleep would repel nightmares, and if placed outside the home it would repel witches.
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