Fresh and Green , Basil Egg Salad

We have had an odd fall. A very early snow storm in September caused panic about an early freeze and loss of crops. Farmers and friends covered what they could and hoped for the best. In the end damage was minimal and even my Thai basil plants made it through. Much of October and November were warm and mild. Relief over a summer free of serious wildfires replaced by evacuations and air too toxic to breath. A neighbor gifted me several armfuls of basil and fresh herbs recently. That unexpected bounty along with piles of green tomatoes had me searching the internet for recipes. The following is a quick and easy way to use up green things still hanging on at the end of a longer growing season.

Fresh and Green Basil Egg Salad

4 Hard Boiled Eggs, coarsely chopped

1 small green tomato or 3 TBSP of green pepper diced

1 TBSP of capers

1 TBSP of finely diced onion

1 TBSP of chopped green olive or canned artichoke

1 TBSP of finely chopped fresh arugula leaves

2 TBSP finely chopped fresh basil leaves

Salt and pepper to taste

2-4 TBSP of mayonaise

Mix all of you ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve with crackers, ships, bread of your choice

Basil is an annual herb that is native to topical parts of the world. It will overwinter as a perennial indoors or when stored in a greenhouse. I often buy large healthy starts to plant in my garden. My own attempts from seed often do not not thrive once transplanted due to our growing season. Basil prefers sun and heat like tomatoes or chilies. It grows 1-2 feet high, producing many branching square stems with oval shaped, alternate leaves. The plant can be bright green with smooth margins on the leaves or darker with purple markings and serrated leaves like a Thai variety. Basil is a highly aromatic all members of the mint family. It has many small, two lipped (almost tube shaped) white flowers that grow on a raceme. These are very popular with bumble and native bees. Historically basil has been used for stomach complaints like cramps, gas, vomiting, inflammation, and constipation. It is also though to be useful for headaches, persistent coughs, and postpartum hemorrhage. Many cultures use it for spiritual/ritual use.

Contraindications:large doses in pregnancy