You’ll want to clip the last of your summer herbs before the first frost—then use one of the following ways (plus pesto, page 54) to savor their flavor over the months ahead.
DRY (FOR WOODY HERBS): Wrap kitchen twine around the stems and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place for four to ten days, until they are crisp and easily crumbled in your hands. Pick the leaves from the stems and place in a jar; seal—they’ll keep for six months.
FREEZE (FOR SOFT HERBS): Chop the leaves and fill an ice-cube tray three-quarters full with them, pressing down to compress; pour in boiling water to cover. Freeze until solid, pop out the cubes, and store in a resealable freezer bag for up to six months. Use in place of regular ice cubes to chill drinks or in soups, too.
Garden
plant spring bulbs in pots
For a steady stream of blooms next year, plant bulbs now in pots—in layers. Small, early bloomers go on top, larger ones, planted deeper, will make their appearance later in the season—in the same spot!
1. Line the bottom of an outdoor pot with pea gravel; add 2 inches of potting soil. Plant daffodil bulbs.
2. Cover those with 2 inches more of potting soil; plant hyacinth bulbs.
3. Top with more soil; plant crocus bulbs. Add 2 inches of soil; water thoroughly.
IN-SEASON PICKS
figs If you’ve only tasted dried figs, the fresh kind will be a revelation—soft and sweet, with subtle crunch from the tiny edible seeds. Of hundreds of varieties, Black Mission and Calimyrna are the most common; when ripe, they should give a little when handled. Keep figs refrigerated, cushioning them with paper towels, and use within two (maybe three) days.
okra This Southern favorite is prized as a thickening ingredient in gumbo and on its own, coated in cornmeal and fried. Okra is also a staple of Indian-style curries. The slender pod should be smooth, with no soft spots or dry ends; use shorter pods (4 inches or less) when sautéing or frying; save longer ones for stewing. Store okra in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for two days—any longer and it can get slimy.
