Growing in the Garden
With the seasons, this garden will grow. As we plant and harvest, entries will be added. Quick, easy Italian recipes too!

• Artichoke|Carciofo
• Broad Bean|Fava Bean
• Caper|Cappero
• Cardoon|Cardo
• Eggplant|Melanzana
• Sweet Pepper|Peperone

Culinary Herbs Used in
Italian Cooking
History, tradition, location, applications and culinary uses for Italian classic herbs.

• The Virtues of Herbs
• Basil|Basilico
• Bay Leaf|Alloro or Lauro
• Mint|Menta
• Oregano|Origano
• Parsley|Prezzemolo
• Rosemary|Rosmarino
• Sage|Salvia
• Sweet Marjoram|Maggiorana
• Tarragon|Dragoncello
• Thyme|Timo

Italian Gardens To Visit
From time-to-time, a private small garden in Italy is featured. If you travel in the area, please contact the gardener to arrange a visit.

• BIOResidence RiGenera,
  Emilia-Romagna
• Giardini del Casoncello,
  Emilia-Romagna
• Giardini di Antichi Sapori,
  Puglia

From the Garden
Share your thoughts, tips and personal experiences about being a gardener.

• Musings From the Garden

Sources – Seeds, Plants, Pots
List of recognized quality resources for your garden.
Plus sources for small and large Italian terracotta pots.

• Sources

Oregano is a member of the marjoram family and historically is known as Wild Marjoram. Its name comes from the Greek words oros, mountain, and ganos, joy. Growing wild in many Mediterranean countries, it flourishes in hot, dry areas. There are many subspecies including Origanum vulgare hirtum, or Italian oregano. Native to Europe and the Mediterranean, it is used widely in most Mediterranean and Latin American cuisines.

Traditions: Hippocrates (circa 460 B.C.E.-circa 377 B.C.E.) recommended oregano as an antiseptic and as a cure for various stomach and respiratory ailments. From Book III, On Right Pleasure and Good Health, Platina (1421-1481 A.D.) #37. On Wild Marjoram.

“Some think it is called origanum in Greek because it colors wine, but it ought to be called oregoenum if this is really true. A great change has been made in the name of this herb, since the Greeks called it eradium and oeniten. Marjoram is more effective in medicine than in food, the cultivated no less than the wild. Ground with white wine and taken to drink, it resists the poisons of scorpions and spiders. It combats indigestion, and given with warm water it soothes griping of the stomach.”

Applications: Oregano is a strong antiseptic for the respiratory system, and it helps heal wounds and burns. Oregano oil is favored for treating skin conditions especially eczema, psoriasis and the pain of shingles. Oregano yields the most important antiseptic oil used in aromatherapy because it has the highest content of phenols among all herb oils. It is considered to have antimicrobial properties against air-borne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and a few drops of oil can be added to household cleaning solutions.

Culinary Uses: Origano is one of the few herbs that tends to be more flavorful in its dried form compared to fresh. It marries naturally with assertive, hot and spicy dishes unlike the delicate herbs such as basil and parsley. With its pungent aroma and taste, oregano is often used as the sole herb in a dish, although strong flavors of garlic and onion accompany it well. Oregano is used more in southern Italy, especially in tomato dishes and tomato-based sauces for pasta and pizza. Many recipes you make that include eggplant, green beans, potatoes or cannellini beans can be given an extra dash of flavor with some oregano added to the dish. Egglant parmigiana wouldn’t taste the same without oregano, now would it?