Sweet Cicely

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Sweet Cicely
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otatop

Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Posts: 1425
Location: North London

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 5:34 pm Post subject:
I have it in the garden and use the leaves. I'll watch this thread closely. Thanks Sally.

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 5:38 pm Post subject:
Ooh: exciting! It's just started seeding itself in the borders here. But frankly, my dear, if you don't know what to do with it, no-one does!

sally_in_wales
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Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 5:45 pm Post subject:
well, I can experiment of course, but wondered if there were any classic recipes. I was surprised how large the roots were, I'd always imagined they would be small, but they were quite substantial and the taste was very pleasantly anis/liquorice-y, not overpowering at all, just enough to be really interesting.

sally_in_wales
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Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 6:17 pm Post subject:
just been told it makes good schnapps, may give that a go, though I'm not usually a fan of anise type liqueuers, I may make an exception for this one

gil
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Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18409

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 6:20 pm Post subject:
I was just about to suggest liqueur / schnapps. If you don't often come across the roots to use, that would give you something that would keep / maybe last a while.

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8600
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 6:29 pm Post subject:
Any small bit of root going spare please, to grow? I've sown some seeds, but not had much luck for a couple of years, hoping that fresh seed will do the trick this time.

sally_in_wales
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Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 6:31 pm Post subject:

gz wrote:

Any small bit of root going spare please, to grow?

I've sown some seeds, but not had much luck for a couple of years, hoping that fresh seed will do the trick this time.

I suspect this one has been out of the ground (and washed) a bit too long to grow now, its going a bit wilty looking, but I may well try growing some myself next year, this one was a surprise donation from one of the gardeners at the museum today

Katieowl

Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4317
Location: West Wales

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 6:56 pm Post subject:
I love the taste of the seeds - I've never got around to using any of the rest of it though. Just wondering if you could roast the root like a parsnip? Kate

Mutton

Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 11 3:40 pm Post subject:
Try seeping a bit in syrup to see if you can crystallise it like root ginger?

growit

Joined: 18 Sep 2011
Posts: 31
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Wed Sep 21, 11 2:23 pm Post subject:
You can slice and eat raw in salads. you can also grind it and use as topping on pizzas or mix it in things like lasagne. Goes quite well in any pasta dish.

Mutton

Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 11 2:39 pm Post subject:
We've got a packet of sweet cicely we've not yet planted. (Decided at start of year it was one seed tray too many.) Getting rather tempted to get on with it next year now. So what sort of conditions does it like best? From the sound of this thread want to grow lots.

growit

Joined: 18 Sep 2011
Posts: 31
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 11 7:54 pm Post subject:
Prefers dry shade but will grow almost anywhere as long as it is not waterlogged. self seeds very easily too so you will never go short if you want to dig the roots up to eat.

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 11 9:34 am Post subject:
I had a VERY SMALL mouthful of Gruff's Sweet Cicely vodka on Saturday. I think I want to marry him.

otatop

Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Posts: 1425
Location: North London

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 11 11:39 am Post subject:

mochyn wrote:

I had a VERY SMALL mouthful of Gruff's Sweet Cicely vodka on Saturday.

I think I want to marry him.

Which part of the plant was it made from? Is there a recipe available?

goosey

Joined: 29 Apr 2009
Posts: 380
Location: Merry England

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 11 8:01 am Post subject:

Sweet Cicely is known as English Myrrh. (In case you want to look it up in old books)

All I have found in my herbals, is that the root is a valuable tonic for girls aged 15 - 18 years. The root boiled, was given to strengthen the elderly. So presumably the girls ate their roots in a more exciting form than boiled.
The roots in brandy are considered a valuable tonic. Made as per sloe gin I expect.
I should think you could cook it using recipes for celeriac - I've done it sliced,steamed, laid in a dish with a cheese sauce, and baked.
Maybe more roots will come your way, Sally.

Lesley Bremness writes: "boil the root, slice and serve cold with salad oil or add chopped root to stir-fries."

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