Mint Harvest - June 2015

The mint beds are growing profusely this summer - getting an extra boost from the rains in June. I’ve harvested about 70% of the first harvest at this point and will do the rest in the next few days. I put off the harvest because I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to be using it for since I am no longer drinking tea of any kind (part of the behavior change required to eliminate artificial sweeteners); I’ve discovered I like adding dried mint to stir fries and soups! It makes the kitchen smell wonderful and adds a delicate layer of flavor.

The two areas of mint I’ve cut so far are quite different. One is a flowerbed in the front of the house where the mint is concentrated in a huge mound backed by day lilies. It was growing rapidly

And blooming too! I processed both the leaves and the blooms.

The other area was the deck garden. There were several pots thick with mint. One had mint growing on tall stalks. I’ve included and before and after shot.

I rinse off the pile of cut mint in the sink and then strip the leaves. It is a time consuming and tiring process. The NINJA processor is a bit easier to use that then Cuisinart food processor that I finally wore out after many years.

The last load of mint in the processor was combined with 2 lemons (with skins) to use for the apple crisp I plan to make later in the day.

And now the mint is on my white drying tray in a prominent place so that I remember to stir it a few times a day so that it will dry evenly. And then it goes into small soup tureen with a lid; I’m already thinking ahead to all the dishes it will enhance.