Sage Grown by Turf Croft Organic Herbs at Ringwood, Hampshire

£2.50 / 30g

About

Sage has a slightly bitter and peppery taste, with a medicinal hint of camphor - very distinctive, and a bit of a bully if you add too much, but the perfect seasoning when used just right. It's ideal with pork or poultry, and a must-have in any stuffing or forcemeat recipe. The leaves also work wonders with roast potatoes or a tray of sweet, fudgy squash.

Veg Hack - Sage and rosemary salt butter

Riverford gardener Penny is in our kitchen garden showing how to cut and pot rosemary and sage, and turn these evergreen herbs into easy recipes that will really accentuate your cooking. First she makes a sage butter (amazing with roasted squash, swirled through soup, or even spread on toast), then a rosemary salt (so good on roasted potatoes!)

Country of origin

Produced in

The UK

How to prepare

Sage's pungent and distinct flavour can dominate a dish, so use it wisely. It’s the backbone to a classic sage and onion stuffing, and is almost a must-have in any sausage meat, pâté or terrine recipe - especially with pork or poultry. The leaves become delightfully crisp when fried or roasted, working wonders with roast potatoes or a tray of sweet, fudgy squash. And if you can't use it all when fresh, the fleshy leaves freeze well.

Storage

Keep in a bag in the fridge for maximum freshness.

Grown by Turf Croft Organic Herbs, Ringwood, Hampshire

Simon Weir has been farming at Turf Croft Farm in the New Forest for over 30 years. Specialising in organic herbs, he grows a wide variety in polytunnels throughout the warmer months, supplying us with almost every herb imaginable – from basil and oregano to chervil and bay. During the winter months, we also rely on his expertise to help source the finest organic herbs from a handful of trusted growers in Spain and Italy. Planting, picking and packing is all done by hand with a firm emphasis on sustainability; solar panels provide electricity; a reservoir and water butts supply irrigation, and a half-dozen beehives ensure efficient pollination of the plants, making the operation almost entirely self-sufficient.