Basil: Farmers Market Produce Guide

Jun 26, 2026

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Wk 5: Basil
Fun Facts about Basil
How to Store Basil

Wk 5: Basil

Hi friends!

In this week’s issue of my Farmers Market Produce Guide, I will be reviewing all things relating to Basil. For example, did you know that, In Italy basil is a symbol of love. A pot of basil placed on a windowsill was traditionally a signal that a woman was ready to receive a suitor. The most romantic herb in the garden. I can’t tell you how much I love this fun fact! Keep scrolling for more just like this and a few of my favorite recipes that involve Basil, to share as well.

One might say that basil is the quintessential summer herb and I wouldn’t argue with them for a single second. There is something about that sweetly fragrant, slightly peppery aroma that instantly transports you to a sun-drenched Italian kitchen or a perfectly set al fresco table. It is summer at its finest.

Basil is incredibly versatile and stays hearty and abundant all the way through the summer months, which means you have absolutely no excuse not to be cooking with it constantly. From the first warm days of June straight through to September, basil is your bestie at the farmers market and in the garden.

Toss it into a pasta, layer it onto a caprese, blend it into a pesto, muddle it into a cocktail, or simply tear it over a bowl of ripe summer tomatoes with good olive oil and flaky sea salt. I mean, it is truly delicious in everything it touches….wish I was that talented!

First, pair it with summer fruit. I know it sounds unexpected but basil and fruit are an absolutely magical combination. Try it with grilled peaches and burrata for the most stunning summer appetizer, or make my Watermelon Salad with Basil and Feta…sweet, salty, fresh, and everything you want on a hot summer day.

And then there is my all time absolute favorite…my Berry Caprese Salad with the juiciest ripe strawberries. It is the kind of dish that makes everyone at the table go completely silent the moment they take a bite. In the best possible way.

I love making a big batch of my Green Goddess Chicken Salad at the beginning of the week and keeping it in the fridge for a mid day snack. The fresh herbs in the dressing are truly spectacular…bright, vibrant, and so incredibly fragrant. But it is the basil that really steals the show. It adds a beautiful and sweet, herby note that ties the whole dressing together and makes it taste like pure summer in a bowl.

If you are feeling a little more savory, blend it into a fresh pesto and toss with pasta for the easiest, most satisfying weeknight dinner. Or take it one step further and make my Pesto White Bean Salad with Garlic Croutons…it is hearty, herby, and honestly one of the most underrated salads on my entire website. It is a serious crowd pleaser.

At the end of the summer when I am drowning in fresh basil from the garden, I like to make pesto, but with a fun twist. I call it Lemony Walnut Pesto…I add a zing of lemon and the earthy richness of walnuts. It’s bright, bold, and incredibly versatile. Toss it with warm pasta, swirl it into a cold pasta salad, or spread it on a BLT or turkey sandwich for a fresh kick.

Fun Facts about Basil

Basil is a member of the mint family. Which actually makes a lot of sense when you think about that fresh, slightly sweet, aromatic quality it has. The two herbs are more closely related than you might think!

The word basil comes from the Greek word “basileus” meaning king. It was considered a royal herb in ancient Greece and was treated with enormous reverence. Only the king was allowed to harvest it…and only with a golden sickle. Honestly, very on brand for such a spectacular herb.

There are over 60 varieties of basil. Sweet basil is the one we know and love most, but there is also Thai basil, lemon basil, purple basil, cinnamon basil, and holy basil…each with its own distinct flavor profile. Your farmers market is the best place to find the more unusual varieties!

Basil is a natural insect repellent. Plant it on your patio or keep a pot on your kitchen windowsill and it will help keep mosquitoes and flies away all summer long. Beautiful, delicious, AND functional. The ultimate herb.

In Italy basil is a symbol of love. A pot of basil placed on a windowsill was traditionally a signal that a woman was ready to receive a suitor. The most romantic herb in the garden.

Fresh basil loses its flavor when cooked too long. Always add it at the very end of cooking or use it raw…heat destroys those beautiful volatile oils that give basil its incredible aroma and flavor. Tear it, don’t cut it, for maximum fragrance!

Basil is incredibly easy to grow at home. A sunny windowsill, a little water, and a pot of basil will keep you in fresh herbs all summer long. The more you harvest it, the more it grows. Snip from the top to encourage bushy growth and pinch off any flowers that appear to keep the leaves coming.

How to Store Basil

The number one rule: do not put fresh basil in the refrigerator. I know it feels counterintuitive but the cold actually turns basil black and limp very quickly. Basil is a warm weather herb and it likes to be treated that way!

The best way to store fresh basil: Treat it exactly like a bouquet of flowers. Trim the ends of the stems, place them in a glass or jar with an inch or two of water, and leave it out on your counter at room temperature in a bright spot away from direct sunlight. It will stay fresh, fragrant, and beautiful for up to two weeks this way. Change the water every couple of days to keep it happy.

If you absolutely must refrigerate it: Wrap the leaves loosely in a dry paper towel, place in a zip lock bag, and store in the warmest part of your fridge…usually the door. Use within a day or two as the cold will inevitably start to turn the leaves dark.

To keep it going all summer- freeze it: Blend fresh basil leaves with a little olive oil and pour into an ice cube tray. Once frozen transfer the cubes to a freezer bag and you have instant pesto or flavor bombs ready to drop into soups, pasta, and sauces all year long. Life changing!

Grow your own: Honestly the best storage tip of all is to keep a pot of fresh basil growing on your windowsill or patio all summer. Snip what you need when you need it… it does not get any fresher than that!