GrassRoutes Garden Herbs, and Beyond…
In between writing and traveling, there is gardening. And the herbs I’ve got going this year come straight from my adventures-
Here are some of the varieties I’m growing here at the GrassRoutes Garden, and a few reviews from my new GrassRoutes Urban Eco-Travel and Green Road Trip guidebooks of places that have influenced my planting, and my cooking. Enjoy!
LEMONGRASS and BASIL at Jessica’s Oakland find Phenom Penh, Alameda County
After trying the basil chicken, I knew I had more than pesto to make with my own basil!
Phnom Penh House, 3912 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland, 510-482-8989
I don’t use the term “best” lightly, so when I say this place has Oakland’s best lunch special, you should perk up and start thinking about when you’re going to go eat. For $5.95 you get a bowl of lemongrass and chicken soup (or a salad, but go with the soup), one of the featured menu items (I always get the chicken with basil and tofu), and a heaping side of rice. If you can control yourself, it’s really enough to have leftovers for tomorrow, but the flavors are so good it’s hard to stop eating in time to save leftovers. When I was in college, this space held a mediocre Mexican restaurant. You can still sense a certain pueblo vibe beneath the earthy walls and dangling lights, but the Cambodian cuisine is a delightful departure from most lunchtime standbys (think Chinese, burritos, that cheap Thai place you like so much . . . ). If you’re rushed, order to go. Service is attentive, but can be very slow. -Jessica Hilberman
TARRAGON, BRONZE FENNEL, and ROSEMARY at the Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative (various locations)
I’ve seen and smelled so much of these resilient (rosemary), delicate (tarragon), and wild (fennel) herbs at the gardens sprinkled around Berkeley…
Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative, www.ecologycenter.org for more info
Whether you are a resident or a visitor coveting a green thumb (or already endowed!), make some time to explore Berkeley’s sprawling network of community gardens. Berkeley Youth Alternatives Production Garden (Bancroft and Bonar Sts, 647-0709 has many volunteering opportunities available to help teach gardening and sustainability to youth who don’t come with a silver spoon in their mouths. West Berkeley Senior Garden is another great spot to lend a helping hand (1900 6th St, 981-5186). If you are looking for a plot of your own, here are my recommendations: Karl Linn Community Garden (Peralta Ave at Hopkins St, 558-8891), Ohlone Community Garden (Hearst Ave at McGee St, 845-1018) or Ashby Community Garden (Ashby Ave at Mabel St, 658-9178), which often gives away fresh produce. -Serena Bartlett
EPAZOTE at La Luna, Rutherford, Napa County
The beans are slow-cooked with this authentic Mexican spice, I just had to have it in the GrassRoutes garden!
La Luna, 1153 Rutherford Rd, Rutherford, 707-963-3211, Sun 8a-6p, Mon-Thurs 8a-7p
Hires locals, independently owned, recycles, $
Burritos are an important part of life, wouldn’t you agree? So I skip the fancy Ameri-Mexican joints on the main drag for La Luna, where you can buy an entire extra bottle of salsa verde if you want your burrito wet. Gather up snacks and ingredients while you wait your turn behind the winegrowers and their friends and family–carnitas burritos are the usual order. Fresh juices and cinnamony horchata are a grand relief for summertime thirst under the hot Napa sun. It’s funny, even hoity-toity food writers and chefs (including Thomas Keller himself) tout their love for this spot, so I’m guessing they want to either eat “real food” just as much as any of us or investigate how to bring authentic, mouthwatering flavor combinations to their own cooking and are inspired by the wafting simmers at this little gem. –Serena Bartlett
LEMON VERBENA and OREGANO on the Suisun Harvest Trail, Solano County
This Greek variety of oregano is especially fragrant!
Suisun Harvest Trail, www.suisunvalley.com/map.asp
free, bikeable, organic
With clearly marked numbers and easy-to-follow maps online and at most of the highlighted locations, this harvest trail has a little of everything. U-pick farms where you can gather berries and black-eyed peas, wineries, and lunch spots that feature local veggies are all on the trail. Hit up one or two spots or go for a farmstead marathon in this hidden gem of a valley. –Serena Bartlett
Ram Rau - you’ll only find this at the most authentic Pho spots… I’m still researching Northern California and I have yet to find one I like as much as Southern California, if you’ve got any tips PLEASE drop me a line!!
info @ GrassRoutes Travel dot com
