kateandjohnsail.boats

Here’s something else that makes me happy: this little basil plant. It was very much an impulse purchase in the huge Bollerio street market in Palermo. The vendors were yelling, motorbikes were squeezing through the aisles, and various creatures from the sea stared at us with vacant eyes as we wandered past. This plant was so healthy looking, I justified its purchase saying that we would use the fresh leaves on caprese salad for a few days, then leave the remains of the plant on the dock. That was over a week and three ports ago. Instead of dwindling, the little plant has been perky every day, and offered up leaves for soups, salads, eggs, and other dishes. How can I give it away when it’s even growing new leaves where the old ones have been plucked? In Portland, basil plants can be touchy, petulantly turning black at the slightest chill or damp. I guess this plant is happy in the Mediterranean because it is Italian and there’s no place like home.