Stem tastes like celery and gets about 5 foot plus. I planted it 2 years ago but there was no label. Got it off veg/herb stand at plant sale
(http://pic19.picturetrail.com/VOL1098/4708695/9812569/362383598.jpg)
(http://pic19.picturetrail.com/VOL1098/4708695/9812569/362383592.jpg)
Found it!!!
http://www.cnn.com/FOOD/key.ingredient/lovage/
nice in salads but only a little :)
Do you use the leaves or the stems in the salads? I am really pleased to find out what it is...we call it The Triffid!!
i normally only use a leaf or two in a salad, it taste very strong.
Thank you :)
My children remember that I read advice that lovage was good for hair and skin, so they had many baths in it, floating about like seaweed in the water. Small amounts are delicious in pizzas, spag bog, casseroles and so on.
Mine grew so vast that I dug it up, threw a lot of the immense roots away, and replanted little bits under an apple tree and against a tall hedge, to subdue them. They are HUGE again this year.
It smells and tastes like celery.
The flavour, I find, can be overwhelming and the leaves can get tough.
You can cut it back hard in June and it will come back with fresh leaves. In fact mine must be 20 years old now, it dies away over winter and comes back every year.
Took me about an hour last autumn to dig out my three year old lovage and replant a small fraction of the root. Already a good size this year so will cut back in June or when it starts looking a bit rusty. Haven't ever used the stems just the leaves so will give that a try.