Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-24
BY SYLVIA WILLIAMS

dull. The seeds were also
thought to be helpful in keep
ing the good ladies from nod
ding while the preacher droned
on and on about the evils of
drink and other vices.
In a book on medical botany,
written in 1869. dill was men,
toned as effective in prevent
ing obesity If the victim was
given a drink Of the broth of
the boiled herb. Dill water"
made by sleeping the seeds in
boiling water, was an old-time
remedy given to children to
alleviate "tumyy ache" The
word dill comes from the Morse
word "dilla." which means to
lull. We are told it is still q
practice in certain European
countries today to give fretful
children dill water"
Dill is a feathery plant that
grows to a height of about 3
feet. The minute flower umbles
are about 3 inches across and,
as the word indicates, the
flowers are remindful Of minia-
ture umbrellas. Dill is an an.
nual plant native to the Medi.
terranean countries and South
ern Russia and grows wild in
various parts of Africa and
Asia. 1t is cultivated in Ger
many, India. England and, to
some extent, in the United
States.
Easy to Grow
Dill is very easy to grow and
will self-seed rapidly if a few
plants are allowed to 60 to
seed. The plants that come UP
the following year from the
dropped seed are m NC h
stronger plants. The seed
should be planted in early
spring. termination takes
place in 10 days to two weeks.
1t is advisable to plant dill
along the north side Of the
garden to avoid shading the
smaller plants. The fruiting
umbles are ready to harvest
when the seed (fruit) are fully
developed but not yet brown.
The umbles may be dried by
placing them on a screen in q
shady place for several days.
The seed are easily removed
by rubbing the umbles between
the hands. Store in tightly
closed containers until ready
for use.
The fresh green leaves are
ready for use six weeks after
planting. We suggest planting
at intervals of three weeks for
a continuous supply of tender
young leaves all during the
growing season.
For many years, the dill
leaves were only obtainable in
the fresh state, but thanks to
one of our leading herb process
sors and packers, the dried
dill weed is processed in such q
way that it retains the volatile
oils. The dried dill weed makes
a wonderful substitute for
fresh dill during the winter
months when fresh dill is un-
obtainable. From personal use
we have found that the proc
essed dill flavor is enhanced
If it is marinated in a bit OF
LIQUID before using. For in
stance, it is much better added
to salad dressing about five
minutes before tossing the
salad, rather than sprinkling
1t over the completed salad as
one usually does with other
herbs.
Dill is used by the Scan
dinavians in practically every
dish they prepare, even some
desserts. For the unusual, try
adding a few dill seeds to the
next apple pie you bake.
We have a favorite recipe for
picked green beans to pass on
to our readers. These are good
served with a relish tray Of
carrots, olives and celery.
"DILLY BEANS"
/ pound of fresh raw green
beans
2 Glove garlic
2 fresh dill heads
2 hot peppers
2 cups pure apple cider vinegar
2 cups Of water
2 teaspoon Of salt
Wash pound of fresh green
beans and pack in hot sterilized
pint jars. To each jar add
Glove Of garlic. one fresh dill
head and / hot pepper. Heat
to boiling 2 cups Of pure apple
cider vinegar, 2 cups Of water
and 2 teaspoons salt. Pour
over beans and seal. Let
marinate for at least two weeks
before using. This recipe makes
2 pints.
Easter time is the time for
eggs so let's not forget the old
fashioned picked eggs that are
still a must in many German
households.
Picked Eggs
To two cups OF vinegar and
two cups OF beet juice. add one
tablespoon OF sugar. one tea
spoon mixed picking spice. u
teaspoon celery seed, "a tea
spoon Of dill weed or one dill
head Bring TO the boiling
point. Allow to cool and pour
over one dozen shelled hard
cooked eggs. Store in the re-
friRerator for two or three
days.
Other uses: Dill seed en-
livens the flavor Of Borcht--
spiced beets-pastries.
Fresh green leaves-good in
Ladies' Board TO Hear
NJ TL~.1~s CL;aI.Js