Dill

Dill(Anethum graveolens) is anannualherbin the celery familyApiaceae.It is native to North Africa, Iran, and the Arabian Peninsula;it is grown widely inEurasia, where its leaves and seeds are used as a herb or spice for flavouring food.
The worddilland its close relatives are found in most of the Germanic languages; its ultimate origin is unknown.
The genus nameAnethumis theLatinform ofGreekἄνῑσον / ἄνησον / ἄνηθον / ἄνητον, which meant both "dill"and "anise". The form 'anīsum' came to be used for anise, and 'anēthum' for dill. The Latin word is the origin of dill's names in theWestern Romance languages('anet', 'aneldo' etc.), and also of the obsolete English 'anet'.
Dill grows up to 1.5–5 feet (0.46–1.52 m) from ataprootlike a carrot.Its stems are slender and hollow with finely divided, softly delicate leaves; the leaves are alternately arranged, 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long with ultimate leaf divisions are1–2 mm (1⁄32–3⁄32in) broad, slightly broader than the similar leaves offennel, which are threadlike, less than1 mm (1⁄16in) broad, but harder in texture.
In hot or dry weather, small white to yellow scentedflowersform in smallumbels1–3+1⁄2in (2.5–8.9 cm) diameter from one long stalk. Theseedscome fromdried up fruit4–5 mm (3⁄16–3⁄16in) long and1 mm (1⁄16in) thick, and straight to slightly curved with a longitudinally ridged surface.
Successful cultivation requires warm to hot summers with high sunshine levels; even partial shade will reduce the yield substantially.It also prefers rich, well-drained soil. The seed is harvested by cutting the flower heads off the stalks when the seed is beginning to ripen. The seed heads are placed upside down in a paper bag and left in a warm, dry place for a week. The seeds then separate from the stems easily for storage in an airtight container.
These plants, like their fennel and parsley relatives, often are eaten byblack swallowtail caterpillarsin areas where that species occurs.For this reason, they may be included in somebutterfly gardens.
Dill has been found in the tomb of Egyptian PharaohAmenhotep II, dating to around 1400 BC.It was also later found in the Greek city ofSamos, around the 7th century BC, and mentioned in the writings ofTheophrastus(371–287 BC).InGreek mythology, the dill was originally a young man namedAnethuswho was transformed into the plant.
Fresh and dried dill leaves (sometimes called "dill weed" or "dillweed" to distinguish it from dill seed) are widely used asherbsin Europe and in central and south-eastern Asia.
Likecaraway, the fern-like leaves of dill are aromatic and are used to flavour many foods such asgravlax(cured salmon) and other fish dishes,borscht, and other soups, as well as pickles (where the dill flower is sometimes used). Dill is best when used fresh, as it loses its flavor rapidly if dried. However,freeze-drieddill leaves retain their flavour relatively well for a few months.
Dill oilis extracted from the leaves, stems, and seeds of the plant. The oil from the seeds is distilled and used in the manufacturing of soaps.
Dill is theeponymousingredient in dillpickles.
In central and eastern Europe, theNordic countries, the Baltic states, Ukraine, and Russia, dill is a stapleculinary herbalong withchivesandparsley. Fresh, finely cut dill leaves are used as a topping in soups, especially the hot red borsht and the cold borsht mixed with curds,kefir, yogurt, or sour cream, which is served during hot summer weather and is called 'okroshka'. It also is popular in summer to drink fermented milk (curds, kefir, yogurt, or buttermilk) mixed with dill (and sometimes other herbs).
In the same way, dill is used as a topping for boiled potatoes covered with fresh butter – especially in summer when there are so-called new, or young, potatoes. The dill leaves may be mixed with butter, making a dill butter, to serve the same purpose. Dill leaves mixed withtvorogform one of the traditional cheese spreads used for sandwiches. Fresh dill leaves are used throughout the year as an ingredient in salads,e.g., one made of lettuce, fresh cucumbers, and tomatoes, asbasilleaves are used in Italy and Greece.
Russian cuisineis noted for liberal use of dill,where it is known asукроп. It is supposed to haveantiflatulentproperties; some Russian cosmonauts recommended its use inhuman spaceflightdue to such properties being beneficial in confined quarters with a closed air supply.
InPolish cuisine, fresh dill leaves mixed with sour cream are the basis for dressings. It is especially popular to use this kind of sauce with freshly cut cucumbers, which are almost wholly immersed in the sauce, making a salad called 'mizeria'. Dill sauce is used hot for baked freshwater fish and for chicken or turkey breast, or used hot or cold for hard-boiled eggs. A dill-based soup, (zupa koperkowa), served with potatoes and hard-boiled eggs, is popular in Poland. Whole stems including roots and flower buds are used traditionally to prepare Polish-style pickled cucumbers (ogórki kiszone), especially the so-called low-salt cucumbers (ogórki małosolne). Whole stems of dill (often including the roots) also are cooked with potatoes, especially the potatoes of autumn and winter, so they resemble the flavour of the newer potatoes found in summer. Some kinds of fish, especially trout and salmon, traditionally are baked with the stems and leaves of dill.
In the Czech Republic, white dill sauce made of cream (or milk), butter, flour, vinegar, and dill is called 'koprová omáčka' (also 'koprovka' or 'kopračka') and is served either with boiled eggs and potatoes, or with dumplings and boiled beef. Another Czech dish with dill is a soup called 'kulajda' that contains mushrooms (traditionally wild ones).
In Germany, dill is popular as a seasoning for fish and many other dishes, chopped as a garnish on potatoes, and as a flavouring in pickles.
In the UK, dill may be used infish pie.
In Bulgaria dill is widely used in traditional vegetable salads, and most notably the yogurt-based cold soupTarator. It is also used in the preparation of sour pickles, cabbage, and other dishes.
In Romania dill (mărar) is widely used as an ingredient for soups such as 'borş' (pronounced "borsh"), pickles, and other dishes, especially those based on peas, beans, and cabbage. It is popular for dishes based on potatoes and mushrooms and may be found in many summer salads (especially cucumber salad, cabbage salad and lettuce salad). During springtime, it is used inomeletswith spring onions. It often complements sauces based on sour cream or yogurt and is mixed with salted cheese and used as a filling. Another popular dish with dill as a main ingredient is dill sauce, which is served with eggs and fried sausages.
In Hungary, dill is very widely used. It is popular as a sauce or filling, and mixed with a type of cottage cheese. Dill is also used forpicklingand in salads. The Hungarian name for dill is 'kapor'.
In Serbia, dill is known as 'mirodjija' and is used as an addition to soups, potato and cucumber salads, and French fries. It features in the Serbian proverb, "бити мирођија у свакој чорби" /biti mirodjija u svakoj čorbi/ (to be a dill in every soup), which corresponds to the English proverb "to have a finger in every pie".
InGreece, dill is known as 'άνηθος' (anithos). In antiquity it was used as an ingredient in wines that were called "anithites oinos" (wine with anithos-dill). In modern days, dill is used in salads, soups, sauces, and fish and vegetable dishes.
InSanta Maria, Azores, dill (endro) is the most important ingredient of the traditional Holy Ghost soup (sopa do Espírito Santo). Dill is found ubiquitously in Santa Maria, yet, is rare in the other Azorean Islands.
In Sweden, dill is a common spice or herb. The flowers of fully grown dill are called 'krondill' (crown dill) and used when cookingcrayfish. The krondill is put into the water after the crayfish is boiled, but still in hot and salt water. Then the entire dish is refrigerated for at least 24 hours before being served (with toasted bread and butter). Krondill is also used to flavor pickles and vodka. After a month or two of fermentation, the cucumber pickles are ready to eat, for instance, with pork, brown sauce, and potatoes, as a sweetener. The thinner part of dill and young plants may be used with boiled fresh potatoes (especially the first potatoes of the year, new potatoes, which usually are small and have a very thin skin). In salads it is used together with, or instead, of other green herbs, such as parsley, chives, and basil. It is often paired up with chives when used in food. Dill is often used to flavour fish and seafood in Sweden, for example, gravlax and various herring pickles, among them the traditional, 'sill i dill' (literally 'herring in dill'). In contrast to the various fish dishes flavoured with dill, there is also a traditional Swedish dish called, 'dillkött', which is a meaty stew flavoured with dill. The dish commonly contains pieces of veal or lamb that are boiled until tender and then served together with a vinegary dill sauce. Dill seeds may be used in breads or 'akvavit'. A newer, non-traditional use of dill is to pair it with chives as a flavouring for potato chips. These are called 'dillchips' and are quite popular in Sweden.
In Finland, the uses of dill are very similar to those in Sweden, including flavouring potato chips and, less popularly, in a dish similar to 'dillkött' ('tilliliha'). However, the use of dill in Finland is not as extensive as in large parts of central and eastern Europe, particularly Russia but including even the ethnolinguistically closeEstonia.
In Iran, dill is known as 'shevid' and sometimes, is used with rice and called 'shevid-polo'. It also is used in Iranian 'aash' recipes, and similarly, is calledshevedinPersian.
In India, dill is known as 'Sholpa' in Bengali,shepu(शेपू) in Marathi, sheppi (शेप्पी) in Konkani,savaain Hindi, orsoain Punjabi. In Telugu, it is called 'Soa-kura' (herb greens). It also is calledsabbasige soppu(ಸಬ್ಬಸಿಗೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪು) inKannada. InTamilit is known assada kuppi(சதகுப்பி). InMalayalam, it is ചതകുപ്പ (chathakuppa) orശതകുപ്പ(sathakuppa). In Sanskrit, this herb is calledshatapushpa. In Gujarati, it is known assuva(સૂવા). In India, dill is prepared in the manner of yellow 'moong dal', as a main-course dish. It is considered to have very good antiflatulent properties, so it is used as 'mukhwas', or an after-meal digestive. Traditionally, it is given to mothers immediately after childbirth. In the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, a small amount of fresh dill is cooked along with cut potatoes and fresh fenugreek leaves (Hindi आलू-मेथी-सोया).
InManipur, dill, locally known aspakhon, is an essential ingredient ofchagem pomba– a traditional Manipuri dish made with fermented soybean and rice.
In Laos and parts of northern Thailand, dill is known in English as Lao coriander (Lao:ຜັກຊີorThai:ผักชีลาว),and served as a side with salad yum or papaya salad. In theLao language, it is called 'phak see', and inThai, it is known as 'phak chee Lao'.InLao cuisine, Lao coriander is used extensively in traditional Lao dishes such as 'mok pa' (steamed fish in banana leaf) and several coconut milk curries that contain fish orprawns.
In China dill is called colloquially, 'huíxiāng' (茴香, perfume of Hui people), or more properly 'shíluó' (莳萝/蒔蘿). It is a common filling in 'baozi', 'jiaozi' and 'xianbing' and may be used as vegetarian with rice vermicelli, or combined with either meat or eggs. Vegetarian dill baozi are a common part of a Beijing breakfast. In baozi and xianbing, it often is interchangeable with non-bulbingfenneland the term茴香also may refer to fennel, similarly to caraway and coriander leaf, sharing a name in Chinese as well. Dill also may bestir friedas a potherb, often with egg, in the same manner asChinese chives. In Northern China,Beijing,Inner-Mongolia,Ningxia,Gansu, andXinjiang, dill seeds commonly are called 'zīrán' (孜然), but also 'kūmíng' (枯茗), 'kūmíngzi' (枯茗子), 'shíluózi' (莳萝子/蒔蘿子), 'xiǎohuíxiāngzi' (小茴香子) and are used with pepper for lamb meat. In the whole of China, 'yángchuàn' (羊串) or 'yángròu chuàn' (羊肉串), lambbrochette, a speciality fromUyghurs, uses cumin and pepper.
InTaiwan, it is also commonly used as a filling in steamed buns (baozi) and dumplings (jiaozi).
In Vietnam, the use of dill in cooking is regional. It is used mainly in northern Vietnamese cuisine.
In Arab countries, dill seed, calledain jaradeh(grasshopper's eye), is used as a spice in cold dishes such as 'fattoush' and pickles. In Arab countries of thePersian Gulf, dill is called 'shibint' and is used mostly in fish dishes. In Egypt, dillweed is commonly used to flavour cabbage dishes, including 'mahshi koronb' (stuffed cabbage leaves).InIsrael, dill weed is used in salads and also to flavour omelettes, often alongsideparsley.
When used as acompanion plant, dill attracts many beneficial insects as the umbrella flower heads go to seed. It makes a good companion plant forcucumbersandbroccoli.
Tomatoplants benefit from dill when it is young because it repels harmful pests while attracting pollinators. But the dill must be pruned before it flowers, otherwise it can slow or stop the growth of the tomatoes.