Thursday, June 18, 2009

IN PRAISE OF JUNE ~ HERB BURGERS with BLACK OLIVE PESTO

In June as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them.”

~ Aldo Leopold


Incarville delaveyi
(Hardy gloxinia, Trumpet flower)

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HERB BURGERS with BLACK OLIVE PESTO
~ Moist and tasty easy grilled treat adapted from Southern Living
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1 lb. ground round
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tsp. grated lemon rind
3/4 tsp. coarse salt
freshly ground pepper to taste
4 toasted Kaiser rolls or hamburger buns
shredded spinach or romaine lettuce leaves
tomato slices
  • Combine ground round, basil, lemon rind salt and pepper. Do not overwork meat mixture. Shape into 4 patties.
  • Grill 5-6 minutes on each side or until desired doneness.
  • Serve on buns with black Olive Pesto, tomato slices and shredded spinach/romaine.

BLACK OLIVE PESTO

1 (6-oz.) jar drained pitted kalamata olives
1 garlic clove
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. dried basil
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper


Process all ingredients in a food processor until a coarse paste forms.




GARDENER'S NOTE: Native to India, Tibet and China these old English garden favorites, known as hardy gloxinias, are actually related to trumpet vines. Relatively hardy, the plant needs a protected site and winter protection. Incarvillea produces exotic clumps of magenta to pink trumpet shaped blooms with lemon throats, fine additions to mixed borders and rock gardens. Flowers occur in June an July and may be prolonged if the fading flowers are removed. Although division is a possible method of propagation it should be avoided if possible as the plants grow best when undisturbed.

12 comments:

Gail said...

it's a lovely flower, Joey and one haven't seen around for years...I wonder where it's been hiding! The burgers sound yummy! gail

Helen Yoest @ Gardening With Confidence said...

This looks yummy. I think I'll make it for Father's Day. H.

Anonymous said...

Yes it is a good father's day treat. The flower is gorgeous.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Joey, that is a new flower for me. Don't believe I've ever seen or heard of them. It certainly is lovely. They must be hardy enough to survive your winters, which is pretty hardy.
Marnie

joey said...

Love burgers, Gail ... even my semi-vegetarian daughter occasionally craves them! The hardy gloxinia is one of Mr. Ho-Hum's favorite flowers so it's a garden must, even if it sometimes forgets to return.

It's hard to beat a good burger, Helen. I also have 2 other favs posted ... one stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes and smothered in caramelized onions and a BIG FAT Mediterranean garden burger with herbs & artichoke hearts ~ http://tinyurl.com/lg2ubq

Hi dear Anna! This might be on our menu also, especially if we end up rushing to the lake then back on Sunday. (Still owe you :)

Indeed lovely but very temperamental, Marnie, so I often must treat it as an annual. As I mentioned to Gail, it's a garden must for Mr. Ho-Hum.

Brenda Pruitt said...

I already love it! It's got herbs!
Brenda

beckie said...

Joey, what a beautiful flower. I would bet the bees and hummers find it very attractive. :) Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

b

joey said...

Enjoy Brenda ~ yes, herbs are a good thing!

Hi Beckie ~ because it loves semi-shade, I have not seen the bees loving it! It's almost impossible to work in some areas of the garden ... with all the rain, mosquitoes rule! Happy weekend gardening :)

Kerri said...

Hello Joey! Long time, no see. I haven't been getting out much lately :) It's great to catch up with you.
How lovely to see your beautiful hardy Gloxinia. I have one blooming in a pot at the moment. It's a first for me. I bought the bulbs because my mom used to grow gloxinias, hense they always make me think of her. A lovely reminder.

Bren Haas said...

This pesto sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing today. I love the blog collage as always. IT is always so wonderful to visit your blog.

Happy Gardening. I hope you all are surviving these nasty storms we have been getting down in Ohio a well.

A wildlife gardener said...

Great flowers, herbs and a superb recipe, Dawn :)

I don't know what Summer would be like without the wonderful aromas from the herbs...

Here's the link to my little video of Barleycorn in June...

http://ourlittlecornerofparadise.blogspot.com/2009/06/barleycorn-meditation-in-june.html

joey said...

Hi dear Kerri ~ always a delight to hear from you. Isn't this a lovely plant! How you're enjoying it as much as I am. Happy Summer!

Can you believe the deluge of rain, Bren! Mosquito heaven here but the plants are drinking it in and the earth lovin' it!

Can't live without herbs, Wildlife, both in the garden in and kitchen. Will hop over and watch your video ... always a delight!