Parsley Petroselinium (Parsley)

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Parsley
Date:	12/09/02 (101 review reads)
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Advantages: fresh, tasty

Disadvantages: none

Parsley
/ petroselinium crispum



Parsley

Parsley is a member of the Umbelliferae family along with hemlock, (poisonous) and coriander

I expect most of you will recognise Parsley a green curly attractive leaf used frequently as a garnish.

Parsley is a biennial grows to a height between 30-75cm 12-32 inches tall the leaves grow on a stalk and are a pretty dark green.
There are several varieties I would think the most common one is the curly leaved one petroselinum crispum

This is a neat attractive plant and can be use as an edging. I have some on one edge of my herb garden.
It has small green, yellowish, whitish flowers in mid summer to autumn, which develop small long ribbed fruit, which contain small seeds. Cut the flowers off when they appear to encourage leaf growth.
This parsley is used in many recipes. It is believed that if you have eaten a lot of garlic eating some parsley destroys the odour and I have read it is an anti ?flatulent!
I shall have to try it after eating cabbage and cauliflower. But be careful I have also read large doses of the oil or leaf can cause abortion.


Flat leaved parsley petroselinium ?Italian / French?

This parsley has flat dark green leaves, which are not curly. Flat leaved parsley has a stronger flavour.
The plants are hardier than curly varieties and are more weather resistant.
This one grows to 38-60 cm 15-24 cm


There is a variety petroselinum crispum tuberosum, which has large swollen roots the leaves, are not curly and the flavour is not as nice. It grows 30-60 cm 12 ?24inches



How to grow your parsley,
Well the supermarkets and garden centres are well stocked withy small pots of parsley but if you should wish to sow your own from seed

First make a shallow drill in your soil between early spring and summer then sow seeds thinly. Parsley seeds do take a long time to germina

te can be 8 weeks likes moist rich soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot, needs watering in hot weather protect it with a cloche over winter.


Parsley

Is good as a simple garnish brightens up a dull dish

Can be used in stuffing?s can be added to salads and salad dressing, chopped up and added too rice or pasta dishes, add it too scrambled eggs or omelettes. Make a parsley sauce to pour on your broad beans.

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