Lovage

Lovage doesn't receive as much culinary attention as it should, probably because it has aesthetic shortcomings. It takes up a lot of space in the garden and it's homelier than sage, thyme, and rosemary. But in my opinion it should be valued as highly. It packs a strong punch of celery flavour, great for soups and sauces, a natural partner for potatoes, and by itself it even flavours a good cream sauce on pasta. I've seen it listed as an ingredient in gin. I read the seeds can be used as seasoning, probably much like celery or fennel seed.

 

I dug one out of the main flower bed a few years ago to make room for the peony. But one seedling took root in the crack between the sidewalk and the front porch, by the corner post. I let it be, because it's easy to hide behind a tomato barrel. You'd think neglect would stunt the thing. This year at age 5 it surprised me by blooming for the first time. I expect to find some offspring next spring. I wish I could find homes for them. It's one of my favourite herbs. Besides the taste, it produces abundant foliage all summer, and doesn't recoil or grow bitter in the heat. So very agreeable, worth its crack in the corner.

 

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Done