Spice of the Month – September

History of Oregano:

Oregano (translated from Greek to mean “Joy of the Mountain”) is an herb of the mint family, native to Mediterranean countries and areas of western Asia. It has been cultivated for thousands of years and is a staple in Mediterranean cooking. It is grown as a small evergreen shrub, most often added to dishes in its dried form, though fresh oregano is sometimes preferred. Many people are familiar with the herb from its wide usage in Italian pizzas and pasta. It was not widely used in the United States until after World War II when returning soldiers helped popularize those dishes.

There are different varieties of oregano, including Mediterranean, Mexican, Italian and Cretan. The most widely available dried form is the Mediterranean variety grown in Turkey. Oregano flavor is described as earthy and pungent with notes of mint and hay. Unlike some other herbs that can lose flavor when dried, oregano is an exception. It is one of the most versatile and complementary herbs and can be paired with garlic, onion, basil and olive oil and many other seasonings.

Pick up the spice, along with a recipe at one of the Coffey County Library branches.

To receive the materials, please register online at https://bit.ly/CoffeyCountySpiceoftheMonth, by scanning the QR code below, or drop by any of the Coffey County Library branches.

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