Lovage

Lovage is also known as love parsley, sea parsley, lavose, liveche, smallage, maggi plant, old English lovage. Grated fresh root can be cooked as a vegetable, used raw in salads, icings, syrups and some liqueurs.

Lovage is a hardy perennial herb, with ribbed stalks similar to celery with hollow stems that divide into branches near the top. It has yellow flowers and it leaves are dark green. Roots have a nutty favor.

Lovage has a strong taste and odor similar to celery and parsley. The leaves can be used fresh in salads, soups, stews, stir-fries, potato dishes, squash, has been used to make tea and wine.

Leafstalks can be eaten fresh or candied and hollow stems can be candied and used as straws in Bloody Marys. Seeds can be used whole or ground in candy, cakes, meats, biscuits, sauces, cheeses, salad dressings, or pickled.