09/07/2026
🌿 FROM THE GARDEN TO THE PANTRY | DRIED ROSEMARY
One of my favorite parts of growing food is preserving what I harvest so very little goes to waste.
I harvested this beautiful organic rosemary straight from my garden, but homegrown doesn’t mean I skip washing it. It’s still exposed to soil, insects, dust, and everything else happening outdoors.
I gave it a baking soda and water soak, rinsed it thoroughly, and removed as much excess moisture as possible. You can gently pat the sprigs dry with a clean towel or allow them to air-dry for a little while before dehydrating.
🌿 To dehydrate:
Arrange the rosemary in a single layer and dehydrate at a low temperature until the leaves are completely dry and brittle. Once dry, run your fingers down the stems to remove the needles/leaves from the woody branches.
Mine were fairly large, so I gave them a quick pulse in the food processor, not enough to turn them into powder, just enough to create the texture I wanted. I then transferred everything into airtight jars.
And the difference between freshly dried garden rosemary and the little jar that’s been sitting on a grocery-store shelf? The aroma alone tells the story. 😍
Rosemary isn’t only delicious, either. It’s rich in aromatic plant compounds and antioxidants and has a long history of traditional culinary and wellness use. Rosemary has also been studied for potential effects on memory, attention, and cognition.
A little work during harvest season can mean a pantry filled with ingredients you grew, preserved, and know exactly where they came from.
Grow it. Preserve it. Use it. Waste less. 🌿
A little work now. Fresh rosemary at my fingertips all year. 🤎
With love,
Chef Charity | Charity’s Vegan Kitchen
