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It's generic name, Artemisia dracunculus is derived from the Greek goddess Artemis,
(the Roman Diana), who was said to have given this group of plants to Chiron the centaur.
The specific name is taken from the Latin dracunculus 'a little
dragon'.
Across Europe the use of similar names reflects the belief that tarragon
is a cure of bites from venomous beasts and mad dogs!
But above all, tarragon is
known as a culinary herb, a traditional French fines herb. It is an essential ingredient in tarragon vinegar, Bearnaise, Hollandaise
and sauce tartare, tarragon
butter, and is used in a great variety of chicken dishes, with
steaks, chops and fish sauces, in herb mixtures, herb marinades and
stuffings, and has a particular affintiy with crayfish.
Like the other wormwoods to which it is related, it has a stimulating
effect on the whole digestive system, and this perhaps is why it
enjoys its superb culinary reputation.
Tarragon
is a creeping perennial and its narrow, aromatic leaves contrast well
with other foliage in the herb garden. Small green flowers appear in
early to midf summer and should be pinched out to encourage leafy growth.
In colder areas the plant may not flower at all.
French Tarragon can only be
propagated by cuttings and root division. Lift the plants during spring,
divide and replant. Tarragon
likes damp, but not soggy soils. Mulch in winter when it has died down.
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Tarragon
Vinegar
4 cups white wine vinegar
10 Sprigs fresh Tarragon
10 whole black peppercorns
3 cloves garlic, peeled.
Combine vinegar, half the tarragon
peppercorns and garlic in a large bowl, cover, stand overnight in a
warm place or until tarragon
loses color; strain. Place remaining tarragon
in jars and top with vinegar.
Vinegar will keep in jars in a cool, dark place for 3 months.
Recipe unsuitable to freeze. |
A slower method is to
fill an attractive glass bottle with fresh leaves, cover with good
quality white wine vinegar and leave to stand for two months. Then
use in salads or mayonnaise.
Medicinal:
Used internally for poor digestion;
Tarragondestroys intestinal
worms and can help delayed menstruation; acts as a diuretic. Externally
it is used for rheumatism and toothache.
Caution: Do not take in
medicinal quantity during pregnancy, but culinary use is no problem.
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