Name: Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
Origin: Iran, Afghanistan
Description: Perennial plant growing up to 2 m high. its aromatic leaves are threefold, dark green, shiny and fragrant.
Culinary use: The entire plant may be used both fresh and dried in soups and one-course meals. Cook stem and flowers together with food; young fresh leaves, should however be only added to the food minced before serving. Vegetable stew may be made from its peeled roots; its seeds lend a unique flavour in whole or ground to pastries, salads, rice and mashed potatoes.
Medicinal use: Tea made from the plant is diuretic and helps with ailments of the stomach and digesting problems.
Cultivating and harvesting: Plant in a sunny or semi-shady spot in fertile soil rich in nutrients. Can be easily preserved by freezing, as it will not lose its aroma either during drying or freezing.