Parsley Flakes

[donna]

Parsley was one of the most popular medieval herbs, and since Colonial days Americans have grown and used Parsley. This herb is the dried leaf from the Parsley plant. Parsley is a native of the Mediterranean area, but is now grown commercially on ranches in Southern California, Texas and Arizona.

Fresh Parsley is not always available in the fresh vegetable market and has limited life even when refrigerated. Parsley flakes keep very well and are ready for instant use.

Parsley is an attractive garnish, and has a mild pleasant flavor for soups, fish, meats, salads, sauces, and many other dishes.

From: "A handbook of Spices, Herbs, Seasonings and Flavorings By Durkee".

 

[RobertP]

Easy to grow too, Donna. MrsP plants a variety of herbs in pots every year and not only do they make a good show but they're garden fresh when you need them in the kitchen.

 

[pamc153PA]

Yup, I use the flat leaf parsley rather than the curly parsley. I think flat leaf has more flavor. I use it in everything from entrees to salads as part of the greens. I try to plant new parsley in the garden in the late summer; it's the first thing to green up in the spring. I also plant some in my cold frame and can use it right up through December or January, until the first prolonged freeze.

I also like to let some of it go without picking it so the swallowtail butterflies lay their eggs on it, and the caterpillars have something to eat when they hatch!

 

[MRB1863]

Yup, I use the flat leaf parsley rather than the curly parsley. I think flat leaf has more flavor. I use it in everything from entrees to salads as part of the greens.

We use a lot of parsley, too! Like you said - in salads, entrees etc. Use it when making tuna salad, chicken salad, ham salad, egg salad, boiled potatoes, stuffing, breading on chicken and pork chops, sometimes sandwiches (as you would use lettuce), egg omelettes, soups, casseroles, on fish and more. It is versatile and tasty. Supposedly good for you containing vitamin C, so I've heard.

 

[donna]

In the book, "Food in Good Season", the author, Betty Fussell points out that parsley makes a good vegetable. It can be used to make a fine cold soup, a salad or sauce for smoked tongue, ham or beef. Deep fried it makes a delicious finger food. Also for the vegetarian, there is tabbouleh, which was originally a dish from the Middle East.

 

[donna]

I know this off subject but when think of Parsley always think of Cecily Parsley created by Beatrix Potter.

As the Nursery Rhyme goes:

"Cecily Parsley lived in a pen, and brewed good ale for gentlemen. Gentlemen came everyday, Till Cecily Parsley ran away."

A great illustration:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/23350/23350-h/images/illus-0012-1.jpg

 

[donna]

Love using Parsley. It is a wonderful herb to grow. Time to plant your Herb Garden. You can do in container gardening.