Winter savory

Satureja montana · Herb

40 pairings

Winter savory (Satureja montana) is a hardy, woody evergreen subshrub of the mint family whose small, stiff, glossy leaves carry a hot, peppery, resinous scent — sharper and more pungent than its tender annual cousin summer savory. A drought-loving Mediterranean perennial, it is the stronger of the two kitchen savories and stands up well to long, slow cooking in bean dishes, braises and game.

Picking a good onedrag

Just cut, stiff and hot-scentedDull, shedding, dark at the tie

Market freshStrip the leaves off the woody stem: the bean-pot herb, hot and resinous, and it takes a long braise better than summer savory does.Everyday best

LeafGreen but matte, a few yellow low down

The stemGreen stem, the cut end drying pale

Shake the bunchStands, a few leaves left in your hand

Rub a leafSharp and resinous when you pinch it

What to look for, from just cut, stiff and hot-scented to dull, shedding, dark at the tie.

Preparing