Mint Extract & Preserving Herbs

We're finally headed for freezing temperatures in my neck of the woods this week which means there are plans for soup, bread baking, and preserving what I can of my herb plants.  I know what you're thinking. You're wondering why I can't just bring them in and put them in a windowsill.  Well, to be honest, I don't have a lot of windowsill space and my herbs never seem to do that well when left there.  So, instead of letting them die in the freeze, I decided to plan ahead and preserve them.  

The focus of my preservation was on mint since it's one of my only herbs left.  But, I also cut some of my scented geranium for use in tea, scented sugars, and the like.  If you have plenty of herbs still growing, you could make enough to give away for Christmas gifts, or, you could just have a well-stocked pantry.  If you want to make extract for gifts, I suggest starting now so that the extract will be ready once you give it away.  Let's get to it!

Mint Extract

**this process works for other fresh herbs you may want to make into extracts, as well as for making flavored vodkas

What you'll need: enough fresh mint for your chosen container (more on that below), a sterilized glass container with a lid, and plain vodka (I used Tito's which is gluten free friendly and made in Texas)

How to make extract: For my extract, I used a pint-sized glass mason jar.  For this size jar you will need about a 1/2 cup of packed mint.  Adjust the amount of mint according to the size of the jar that you want to use.  Rinse the mint under warm/hot water, shake off the excess, and then place it on a clean kitchen towel to dry completely.  Once the mint is dry, place it in your clean jar.  Using the end of a wooden spoon, bruise the mint in the jar to allow it to start releasing its oils.  Fill the jar with your vodka, making sure to completely cover the mint.  Place the lid on the jar and store it in a cool, dark place like your pantry.  The extract needs about 4 to 6 weeks for the flavor to develop, so simply leave it alone and let it do its thing.  Once it gets to the strength that you want, you can strain out the mint leaves if you prefer, or you can leave them in.  Once strained the extract will keep indefinitely in your pantry.  

Dried Mint

**this process will work with any other fresh herbs

What you'll need: fresh mint with the stems attached(or any other herb) and kitchen twine

How to make dried mint: Rinse the mint under warm/hot water and shake off the excess.  Place it on a clean kitchen towel to dry completely.  If you have a salad spinner, you can spin the mint in it to help speed up the drying process.  Once dry, make bundles of the mint.  I tend to keep my bundles on the small side to help with the drying process.  Once you have a bundle, tie the stems together with the kitchen twine, making sure to leave extra twine for hanging.  Make a knot in the extra twine, then hang up the bundle in a dark place with good ventilation.  It will take at least one week to completely dry out depending on your house/apartment.  Once dried, remove the twine and store the mint in a clean glass jar or container.  It will keep at least one year, if not longer.