Minnesota Herb Society

1 week 14 hours ago

Happy Thanksgiving to all our herbie friends!

Minnesota Herb Society

2 weeks 2 days ago

My Thanksgiving table would not be complete without cranberries. They truly are a part of our country’s tradition.

The cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is an herb—but you knew that, didn’t you? Native Americans gathered and used the wild berry as a medicine, a dye, and a food. The colonists copied these uses, naming the fruit “craneberry” because the small, pink blossoms that appear in the spring resemble the head and bill of the Sandhill cranes that nested in New England when the first settlers arrived.

The Medicinal Cranberry

The herb has been in long use: native Americans applied crushed cranberries to open wounds and brewed the berries to treat intestinal ailments. To prevent scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, 18th-century American mariners carried a supply of dried cranberries on their voyages. Cranberries are also effective in helping to prevent urinary tract infection and kidney stones.

The Tasty Cranberry

Cranberries are a tradition on the Thanksgiving table. Here’s China Bayles’ favorite holiday recipe. For more, check out this gallery of tart-sweet possibilities.

Spiced Cranberry Orange Sauce

1 pound fresh cranberries, rinsed
3/4 cup sugar
juice and zest of 1 large orange (leave the zest in large pieces)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
4 cloves, stuck into a section of orange rind for easy removal
1 3” cinnamon stick, broken
1/2 cup light red wine

Combine ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries pop and sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let cool. Remove cinnamon, cloves, and zest. Chill. About 10 half-cup servings. A zingy, healthful, make-ahead sauce for that special turkey!

Minnesota Herb Society

2 weeks 4 days ago

This popped up in my memories today! 🌲 What great memories from years of decorating tree(s) at the MN Landscape Arboretum. ❤️ My early years we put the trees in the Snyder building. Gisela would bring a “carpet” of thyme for the tree skirt! No tree this year 😞. We’ll spend another year planning and coming up with ideas. We will be making memories again soon!

Minnesota Herb Society

3 weeks 12 hours ago

Thank you Veterans

Minnesota Herb Society

3 weeks 14 hours ago

Acorns Aplenty!!
There are about 600 species of oak worldwide. Some trees, such as white and bur oaks, produce acorns in 1 year, while others such as red and black oaks, take two seasons. Not only do acorns form new oaks, but they also serve as food. They can be boiled and prepped before eating, to remove their tannic flavor, but people will use them to make flour or meal or even a coffee substitute. They offer many health benefits for humans! Wildlife, including turkeys, ducks, opossums, raccoons, foxes, white-tailed deer and squirrels, all depend on a good acorn crop for part of their diet.

Minnesota Herb Society

3 weeks 4 days ago

Today is National Nacho Day!!

Nachos were “invented” in 1943 in a small Tex/Mex border town called Piedras Niegras. A few wives of US soldiers dropped into the Victory Club restaurant for a snack just as it was closing. Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya agreed to throw together a dish based on what he had left - tortilla chips and cheese being amongst them. Thus, Nachos were born!
Why do we love and celebrate Nachos?
* They are perfect for any party
* They can be topped with just about anything
* They can be a snack or a meal
How do we celebrate Nat’l Nacho Day?
** Make a plate of Ultimate Nachos. Top it with all your favorite meats and vegetables and cheese. Add the spiciest, herbiest sauces to your meats and the crunchiest chips and veggies - and don’t forget an avocado! Watch the game, invite your friends or enjoy on your own! 🌿 🍅 🥬 🧀 🧅 🥑 🥩 🍗 🐖 🔥