---

It's spring and my balm plant is producing many giant leaves.

---

I used balm mainly in herbal teas, but its delicate, lemon-like flavor it's perfect for many dishes, like this traditional botargo pasta.



Botargo Spaghetti with Balm Leaves

Ingredients
Serves two:
200g spaghetti
4 tbsp. tuna or mullet botargo
4 salted anchovie fillets
1 clove garlic
6 tbsp. olive oil
1 bunch balm leaves

Directions
Peel the the garlic and fry it in a pan with olive oil, then remove it. Add the anchovie fillets and stir well.
Meanwhile cook the spaghetti: bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add spaghetti and cook until al dente.
Drain pasta well and season with the oil, botargo and minced balm leaves.

---

One year ago:

Mint & balm tea

---

Link:
Botargo on Wikipedia

I am entering this in Presto Pasta Nights, hosted this week by Hillary of Chew on That.

---

You may be interested in...

Recipe: Pasta alla Puttanesca PPN #82 September 22, 2008 Apart from famous peppers from all around the world, I am growing also some italian ones. Among them, the...

Spontaneous balm From last year sowing, a surprise July 17, 2008 Last year I seeded an entire garden bed with balm, but it never sprouted. So I bought the plant that you ...