Drying Herbs: Summer Savory

Drying Herbs: Summer Savory post image

Summer savory has to be one of my favorite fresh herbs. I use it in so many things like soups, stews, marinades, eggs, roasts and sausage. Some say it is milder than sage and perfect for  sausage! I grew a bunch this year and I thought I would dry it to enjoy over the winter!

Summer savory is actually a member of the mint family with a more delicate aroma than winter savory. Winter savory is another of my all time favorites but seems rather hard to source at times.

Summer savory has uses other than culinary: it may be used as a digestive aid for gas and colic, a general tonic for the prevention of diarrhea and as an expectorant for lungs. It is also said to give instant relief from a bee or wasp sting. I’ll have to try that one – there seems to be a lot of wasps in my yard this year!

There are many ways to dry herbs. I tried tying them in bunches and hanging upside down for 2 weeks. However, in my house, I found the best way to do it is to simply dry them at a low temperature in the oven for 30 – 45 minutes. The flavor is preserved and they are thoroughly dried!

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Drying Herbs: Summer Savory

Ingredients

  • A bunch of fresh herbs such as summer savory, parsley, thyme, etc

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Cookie sheet lined with parchment paper

Instructions

  1. Cut your herbs just when you start to see the flower buds – the oils are strongest at this point
  2. If there are some flower buds, dry them as well
  3. Shake off any bugs or dirt and rinse under running water
  4. Dry with a tea towel
  5. Peel off the leaves and flowers from the stems as best you can and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
  6. Place in a 200 degree F oven for 30 minutes
  7. If they do not break apart easily, dry a little longer
  8. Break up the herbs and place in a cute jar

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Dry time: 30 minutes

Tip: Dry as much as you can because when it is dried, it has much less volume than when fresh!

Shared at: Hearth & Soul Hop, Allergy Free Wednesday, Wildcrafting Wednesday

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Leave a Comment

  • Cassidy @ Cassidy's Craveable Creations August 14, 2014, 9:00 am

    Every year I have lots of fresh basil, mint, and cilantro that dies when it turns cold, but now I know how to dry them – thanks so much!!!

    -Cassidy

    Reply
  • The Food Hunter August 18, 2014, 10:59 am

    my herbs are growing great…thanks for sharing this

    Reply
  • swathi August 24, 2014, 6:56 pm

    I usually sun dry them. thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop pinning.

    Reply