Basil -- Ocimum 'Fino Verde'
DebbieTT
Dec-15-2004 at 8:50pm
I am looking at a new basil cultivar to try called, O. 'Fino Verde'. I see it at Chiltern's seed company.
My question is, has anyone here tried this one, or seen it in local seed catalogs. I will be ordering from Chiltern's anyway, but I like to buy locally when offered.
Their description: With the true Sweet Basil aroma and taste but with more closely arranged leaves and proportionately less stem. The flavour is better maintained after flowering than that of many other varieties and it is particularly favoured for the making of pesto sauce. 2½ ft.
Oh and the other one I may try is Basil Lettuce-leaved. 5 inch long leaves. Hmmmmmm.
Trish
Posted: Dec-22-2004 at 12:45am
Debbie, we grew the lettuce-leaf basil this summer and really liked it fresh. Five-inch leaves were the small ones. My son used it instead of lettuce for zippy sub sandwiches. Definitely worth growing if you like mild flavor.
I don't have much luck with seeds, so I bought starts from Millennium Farms at the Clark County garden show. Another one we really liked was O.`Aussie Sweetie.' Haven't tried O.`Fino Verde.'
DebbieTT
Posted: Dec-23-2004 at 9:58am
Thanks Trish that is good to know! Sounds like I will like it by your description.
GardenNut
Posted: Dec-25-2004 at 10:31am
I see that Territorial has 'Finissimo Verde a Palla'. "It is so refined that it forms a perfect globe shape that looks pruned. The bush can reach up to 10 inches in diameter. The leaves are very small, thin, and strongly scented." Maybe a dwarf strain of 'Fino Verde'?
Chris Sunset 4 USDA 8a
DebbieTT
Dec-28-2004 at 1:22pm
Hi Chris, I am looking at the description in my catalog. I grew 'Spicy Globe' before and liked it's round-like shape, but it stayed fairly small. I only grew it for ornamental purposes years ago. I think 'Finissimo Verde A Palla' (big name for small plant) might be a nice improvement. I see they are selling it as a plant too, for those that don't like to start from seed.
I am thinking about trying 'Siam Queen' this year to see if I like its flavor.
Screaming Eagle
Posted: Dec-28-2004 at 1:58pm
Oh Debbie, I love Siam Queen. Makes an awesome Thai basil chicken stir fry. The plant is beautiful with purple centers and pretty flowers too!
DebbieTT
Posted: Dec-28-2004 at 3:48pm
Very cool! Is the recipe hard and do you give it out?
Lisa A
Dec-28-2004 at 3:49pm
Hey, you can't tease me and then not share the recipe, Theresa! We love Thai basil chicken stir fry in this house so cough it up (the recipe, not the chicken!), please.
Screaming Eagle
Dec-28-2004 at 4:22pm
ok, ok, I'll go dig it up and post it when I find it!
cjmiller
Jan-15-2005 at 4:25pm
The basil was over abundant last summer so I tried an experiment--I picked leaves as soon as they were free of dew, placed them carfully in a zip-lock freezer container, and froze them. I have used them with pizza, pasta, and tomato dishes sucessfully, Although I dont think they have the same level of flavor, they are much better than dried basil and it seems to work quite well. I would love to try them with the chicken stir fry! soon as this ice goes away, see if you can post that recipe, Theresa.
Carol
Screaming Eagle
Jan-18-2005 at 10:12am
Well gosh darn, I can't locate my recipie for Thai basil chicken, but I originally found it on the internet, so did a search again. This one looks pretty close:
Thai Basil Chicken recipie
There are lots out there with many variations, so take a look and give some a try.
GardenNut
Jan-23-2005 at 11:00pm
Found it!
Abundant Life carries Fino Verde.
Chris Sunset 4 USDA 8a
DebbieTT
Posted: Jan-26-2005 at 5:25pm
Too late, I already ordered it from Chiltern's. Darn! Oh well I ordered other seed as well but I always try to order locally if offered locally.
Thanks Chris next time I will know where to order it and others won't follow my pitiful example!
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