Copius
Parsley, drawn for Copius

Parsley

Persil

Latin namePetroselinum crispum
FamilyHerbs
OriginMediterranean basin
Season (France)March – October
FlavourGreen · Fresh · Peppery
Typical price (France)1–2 €/botte

What it is

Greeks planted parsley on graves and crowned victors with it at the Nemean games — an herb of both mourning and triumph. French cooking made it a daily workhorse: half the savoury dishes of the repertoire end in a flurry of chopped parsley.

In the kitchen

Flat-leaf for flavour, curly for looks. The stems carry more taste than the leaves — tie them into every stock.

Goes with

Garlic Lemon Button mushroom Cod Chickpeas Egg Potato

Same species

Hamburg parsley root

Also used with

Pauillac lamb Salt marsh lamb Allis shad Amourettes (spinal marrow) Anchovy paste Andouillette

In season alongside

Mizuna Watercress Sweetfish (ayu) Basil Bell pepper Water pepper (tade / benitade)

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