Lovage uses abound, which is a good thing considering how abundant the herb can be in a garden. Even better, the ways to use lovage are quick and simple with delicious results. Gather much while it grows and have it for winter cooking and gift giving too.
Lovage is a perennial herb in the same family celery. It tastes quite a bit like celery, but stronger. Unlike celery, however; the leaves are the main part of the harvest, not the hollow stalk.
How to Harvest Lovage Leaves
Harvest the stalks before the plant flowers. Cut the stalks about an inch from the ground. Most climates will be able to have multiple harvests per season.
Save Some Seed
Leave some to flower and go to seed. The flowers are loved by pollinators of all types. After the flowers go to seed. Gather the seed heads an use the seeds as you would celery seed. I use it pickles most often.
Dry Lovage
Once harvested, wash the herb. Then gather into bunches and tie to hang. Let hang until the leaves are crispy dry. An electric dehydrator can be used as well, but isn’t necessary.
Once dry, remove the leaves from the stems and store in a glass jar until you need it.
Throw a few dried leaves in soups and stews for some celery flavor. Toss it in homemade stock instead of celery. Go easy the flavor is strong.
Infused Lovage Vinegar
This is a simple lovage recipe that can serve a multitude of purposes in your kitchen.
Fill a clean glass jar about half full with fresh leaves. Fill the jar with vinegar. Rice vinegar is particularly nice here but any would work.
Place a lid on the jar and leave in a cupboard for 2 weeks. Strain the leaves from the vinegar and store the vinegar in a glass jar for use.
Use in salad dressings, it’s tasty as the vinegar in Hot & Sour Soup too. Put it in fancy bottles with nice labels for gift giving.
Lovage Salt
Take that dried lovage and make some lovage salt to season cooked dishes.
Use 1/4 Cup Coarse Salt (Kosher or Sea Salt is especially nice) to 2 Tablespoons crumbled, dried lovage leaves.
Mix together and store in an airtight jar.
For a finer mixture, pulse in a blender or food processor.
Use as a substitute for celery salt. Lovage salt makes a great gift for the cooks on your list too!
What’s your favorite way to use lovage?
Cheryl
Wednesday 22nd of May 2024
Use the stalks for Bloody Mary straws!
Harriet
Tuesday 30th of May 2023
I have been growing one lovage plant for two years. It’s about 3’ tall. I usually use it with 5-6 other herbs and make Frankfurter Green sauce. It’s absolutely delicious with hard boiled eggs or schnitzel and boiled potatoes. I’m going to try your salt idea.
Carol
Tuesday 16th of July 2019
In addition to your fine suggestions (and those of your readers), may I add a helpful way to provide habitat for our native pollinators? I had purchased some bamboo--5/16" in diameter. The small purchased bundle had almost none that were even close to 5/16--the desired size for solitary bees to deposit eggs & pollen. While cutting back my lovage, it dawned on me that I had the perfect medium in which to place inside my bee frames. Cut into approximately 6" pieces and secured in place, they became a favorite place for our native bees to do their important work--and they're free!
Kathie Lapcevic
Tuesday 16th of July 2019
What a great idea!
Sandra Beimers
Sunday 22nd of October 2017
My favourite herb! Love it in chicken soups, gravies, salads, even lasagne!
Diane Williams
Tuesday 10th of October 2017
Great when a leaf or two is put into a beef gravy.