Preserving Parsley's Perfect Flavor

 Parsley is a vibrant, green herb that we most often use to garnish our dishes. It is packed with flavor and can enhance many meals. Fresh parsley is always my favorite way to use it, and it is simple to grow. Parsley plants do very well in the Midwest and will produce for most of the growing season. Unfortunately, our harsh winters won't allow us to harvest fresh parsley all year round, so dehydration is one way to preserve it for later use. Follow below for simple instructions, pictures, and video on how to harvest and preserve parsley.

    Step 1: Cut parsley stems 1 inch from the bottom. Harvest in the morning at peak freshness.



    Step 2: Wash parsley thoroughly.

    Step 3: Layer parsley in dehydrator, careful not to overlap. Remove thicker stems to save room.                         Toss any unwanted, damaged leaves.



    Step 4: Follow manufacturer's instructions on your dehydrator. I put my parsley at 95 degrees for                         20- 24 hours.

    Step 5: Check for doneness. Leaves should crumble easily.

    Step 6: Remove leaves from stems and store leaves in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. 



@amateurndgardener #gardentok#parsley#harvest#herbs#dehydratingherbs#dehydratingparsley#preservingfood#preservingparsley#diyparsley#diyherbs#diyseasoning ♬ Dandelions (slowed + reverb) - Ruth B. & sped up + slowed
Preserved parsley can last 2-3 years if stored and dehydrated properly. You can also dry parsley in an oven or hang dry in a cool, dark place. I prefer the dehydrator method as it is faster and doesn't take up my oven space, and I can fit more in my dehydrator. Dried parsley leaves are great for adding flavor and decoration to dishes. Ground parsley will work just as well to add seasoning to any dish if you prefer to grind it to powder.

Extra tip: Parsley and tomatoes are excellent companion plants. Parsley masks the smell of tomatoes to keep critters away if planted nearby each other, among many other things!

Here is a link for my dehydrator. I love it! 

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