Keeping Sage Leaves For Cooking

By

Goldie2

Next year, pick it fresh, rinse and set aside. I put it on waxed paper and ignore it until I can crumble it and put in a jar. As for this year, since you grew it, you know if you used anything harmful. If not, it should be fine - especially since you will be using it in a hot dish. Also, most bugs won't eat herbs since they're so strong, so don't both with spraying them.

By

cookwie

This is a sage plant I bought at a nursery and grew in my organic veggie garden.

By Eric (Guest Post)

I agree with louel53, and the I would say you could grind them into a powder, and use it in chicken dishes. If you rub a small amount on a chicken breast, it's magnificent.

By

kimhis

Careful on the ID, there are a lot of plants that people call "sagebrush" that aren't. What grows around here is actually rabbitbrush, and it smells good but tastes like dandelion juice - ew.

By

louel53

I don't think you need do anything but gather these leaves up and store them in a glass jar. If they are dirty-- with sand or something, I wouldn't use them. If they have been sprayed with something, you are not going to be able to wash it off. I use herbs straight from the garden, only washing if they are dusty. Sage is likely going to be used in a cooked dish. There is nothing on that sage as a general rule that is going to be harmful, and germs would be destroyed in the cooking process. Herbs don't need to be disinfected.