Greetings Jonathan! I grow za'atar, origanum syriaca version, every year from seed bought from Baker Creek seeds. It grows well for me, especially in pots so roots are warm. I dry a lot for winter use. Happy foraging!
I begin all my postcards just like I began all the cold-call voicemails I used to leave for 70-year-old former hippies I wanted to interview: "I know this is an odd request..."
I have a plant in my garden that looks like yours. It gets white flowers and self sows. It was given to me by a guy who is Jordanian and his wife Palestinian or vice versa.!
Before moving to Portland, I lived on the Front Range in Colorado where Rhus trilobata grew in huge patches. Every fall, I would enjoy the lemonade berries. I have never tasted a rose hip that could come close to that wonderful taste.
Is it worth it? is definitely the wrong question, and I love this post. And if your za’atar ever becomes a big enough crop - it’s pickled and eaten as a delicious salad in Hatay (and maybe other parts of the Levant?).
That's some beautiful sumac and manousheh! This looks like a great exercise in appreciating the work that goes into making these spice blends for us all!
One good meal is worth it! ;) There is a lovely Mediterranean shop in Multnomah Village that probably has za'atar. I got a delicious dukkah there. Yum! Let me know when you want to go shop...and eat! xo
Greetings Jonathan! I grow za'atar, origanum syriaca version, every year from seed bought from Baker Creek seeds. It grows well for me, especially in pots so roots are warm. I dry a lot for winter use. Happy foraging!
Margaret in Port Angeles, WA
Hey, thanks! The photo in the calendar looks similar.
My gosh I love this, especially “is it worth it” not always being the right question to ask. (Signed, on year 8? of attempting back yard wasabi.)
Ha! This probably comes as no surprise, but we have a backyard wasabi plant, too.
Sending a postcard is genius! So many fruit trees in the neighborhood. I know my next steps.
I begin all my postcards just like I began all the cold-call voicemails I used to leave for 70-year-old former hippies I wanted to interview: "I know this is an odd request..."
I have a plant in my garden that looks like yours. It gets white flowers and self sows. It was given to me by a guy who is Jordanian and his wife Palestinian or vice versa.!
Oh interesting! I hope one day my in-the-ground za'atar naturalizes.
Before moving to Portland, I lived on the Front Range in Colorado where Rhus trilobata grew in huge patches. Every fall, I would enjoy the lemonade berries. I have never tasted a rose hip that could come close to that wonderful taste.
Is it worth it? is definitely the wrong question, and I love this post. And if your za’atar ever becomes a big enough crop - it’s pickled and eaten as a delicious salad in Hatay (and maybe other parts of the Levant?).
Pickled! Interesting. I wonder if I could do that with my summer savory, which is plentiful enough.
That's some beautiful sumac and manousheh! This looks like a great exercise in appreciating the work that goes into making these spice blends for us all!
One good meal is worth it! ;) There is a lovely Mediterranean shop in Multnomah Village that probably has za'atar. I got a delicious dukkah there. Yum! Let me know when you want to go shop...and eat! xo