My beautiful basil plant gave me the fruits of her nectar with such vigor. As you will note in the photos, some of the leaves were about 3 inches long! I have learned the precise moment in which to pick the leaves… when they are still in their splendor… just before the flowers arrive. Why? So they do not deter the leaves from receiving all the nutrients in full force. The flowers consume the leaves’ chlorophyll. Therefore, depleting the nutritional value of same.
My cousins came to celebrate the harvest! My baby and I went to the supermarket and bought all the things we could think we could share with the pesto, including marinating small fresh mozzarella balls, grape tomatoes, bread sticks, apples, French bread, tortellini, and home made croutons. We served all the “tapas”and the pesto on small plates and it was a smorgasbord of pesto for about 2 hours.
The next day we commented that we would not eat pesto for a while We were saturated. Because its magnificent flavor engulfed us … no need to say that we overate with delight and total enthusiasm...
Basil - The Herb of Kings
ReplyDeleteBasil, from soil to seed
To strong stems and beautiful leaves.
I ask for blessings to have bestowed
As I nurture and watch you grow.
From mornings dew and sun of afternoon
To rays of the stars and midnights moon
Mother Earth watch over thee
As I my will, So mote it be.
By: Solstice Moon
Did you know that there are just as many magickal properties in basil as there are medicinal and culinary? To name a few…
Put basil leaves in all corners of the rooms in your house to aid in protection. Make a basil charm and carry on your person or hang in your car to aid in safe trips. Place basil leaves in your wallet to help in the aid of monetary needs. Carry basil in your pocket for luck in gambling. To foretell relationships, place two basil leaves on burning charcoal and if the leaves fly apart so will the relationship, but if the leaves burn quietly the lovers will be in bliss. To promote fidelity sprinkle basil over your partners heart. Use basil oil in room diffusers to promote tranquility. Basil leaves put on computers is said to keep them working. Burn basil for visions questing. Etc.