Oregano seasoning – what is it popularly called and what dishes is it used in?

PHARMACOPOEIAL ARTICLE

Oregano herb FS.2.5.0012.15

Origani vulgaris herba Instead of Global Fund XI , no. 2, art. 55

(amendment No. 1 dated June 16, 1999)

Collected during flowering, dried herb of the perennial cultivated and wild herbaceous plant Oregano – Origanum vulgare L., family. Lamiaceae – Lamiaceae.

What is oregano

Oregano (oregano) is a perennial plant from the Lamiaceae family. People also call it differently: motherboard, ladanka, dushanka, body lover.

The plant has many beneficial properties, therefore it is widely used in folk medicine. The seasoning of oregano is known to chefs all over the world and is often associated with Italian and French cuisine.

Botanical description

The stem of this useful and easy-to-care plant is erect, tetrahedral, branched in the upper part, reaching a height of 60-80 cm. The rhizome is creeping.

In June-July, oregano blooms with small, dark pink flowers, collected in paniculate inflorescences. The seeds ripen in August-September.

When harvesting fresh oregano for storage or use in cooking, it can be confused with marjoram. To avoid mistakes, you need to pay attention to the leaves of the plant:

• in oregano they have a pointed oblong shape, bright green on top and with a grayish tint below;
• in marjoram they are oblong-ovate, obtuse, grayish-green on both sides.

Oregano can be easily grown in the garden or in a pot on the windowsill from seeds. Can grow in one place for up to 5 years, does not tolerate acidic soil. When growing oregano in a garden plot, you must ensure that water does not stagnate at the roots.

Taste and smell of oregano

Oregano has a strong spicy aroma with woody notes, and the leaves have a sharp, bitter taste. In its dried form, the smell of the spice is more pronounced.

How do you get the seasoning?

To obtain oregano seasoning, the upper part of the plant with leaves and inflorescences (15-20 cm) is cut off during the flowering period. The collected raw materials are dried and then crushed.

Oregano should be dried in a dark, dry room at a temperature not exceeding 400C or in special industrial dryers. Improper drying can lead to loss of medicinal properties and aroma.

Spicy recipes

Although in Russia oregano is not such a favorite spice as, for example, black pepper, garlic and dill, it is increasingly becoming a regular in the home kitchens of cooks. There are many recipes in which it serves as the main aromatic element to improve the taste of the dish.

Stuffed zucchini with ricotta cheese

• zucchini - 3 medium fruits;
• tomatoes – 2 pcs.;
• ricotta cheese – 250-300 g;
• cream cheese – 100 g;
• garlic – 3 cloves;
• chicken egg yolk – 2 pcs.;
• onion – 1 head;
• breadcrumbs – 100 g;
• chopped fresh oregano, parsley, mint - 2 tsp each. each;
• salt, black pepper - to taste.

Cut the zucchini into halves, remove the seeds, leaving the walls about 1 cm thick. In a frying pan, fry the chopped onion and garlic until golden brown, add the diced skinless tomatoes and simmer a little.

In a separate container, mix ricotta, crackers, chopped herbs and yolks, add stewed vegetables, salt and pepper to taste, mix the filling thoroughly.

Using a pastry brush, brush the inside of the zucchini with olive oil, place on a baking sheet and bake for 7-10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Next, place the filling on each of the halves, top with grated cream cheese and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden.

Chickpea flour pancakes

• chickpea and whole grain flour - 300 g each;
• egg – 2 pcs.;
• dried oregano – ½ tsp;
• olive oil – 20 ml;
• water – 100 ml;
• milk – 200 ml;
• salt, sugar - to taste.

Beat eggs with salt and sugar, add spices, butter, milk and water, mix thoroughly. Sift the flour, gradually add it to the main mass, stirring until the dough is smooth, then let it stand for 30 minutes.

Bake pancakes in a preheated frying pan greased with olive oil. Serve with sour cream or natural unsweetened yogurt.

Warm pumpkin salad

• pumpkin – 500 g;
• arugula – 1-2 bunches;
• butter – 3 tbsp. l.;
• dried oregano – ½ tsp;
• curd cheese – 100 g;
• pine nuts – 3 tbsp. l.;
• salt, black pepper - to taste.

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper, peel and cut the pumpkin into cubes, add oregano, salt and pepper to taste, place on a baking sheet, spread butter on top and bake for 15 minutes at 200°.

Place arugula leaves on plates, then warm, not cooled pumpkin, then cottage cheese and nuts, sprinkle a little olive oil on top.

Chemical composition and nutritional value

Oregano contains essential oils that give the plant a specific aroma and substances beneficial to the human body:

• thymol;
• carvacrol;
• cymol;
• sesquiterpene;
• geranyl acetate.

Flavonoids, organic acids, tannins, catechins, vitamins and minerals were found in oregano leaves. The plant is especially rich in the following elements (the content of the daily norm in dry oregano grass per 100 g is indicated):

• vitamin K (518%);
• ascorbic acid (565%);
• vitamin B6 (52.2%);
• vitamin B9 (59.3%);
• vitamin E (122%);
• calcium (160%);
• iron (204%);
• manganese (250%);
• magnesium (67.5%);
• copper (63.3%).

Zinc, potassium, selenium, phosphorus, vitamins A, PP, and beta-carotene were also found in the plant in small quantities.

The nutritional value of fresh oregano is 25 kcal / 100 g, oregano seasoning is 256 kcal, of which:

• proteins - 9 g;
• fats - 4.28 g;
• carbohydrates - 62.92 g (fiber - 42.5 g).

As a spice, oregano is added to dishes in small quantities, so it practically does not change their calorie content.

Botanical description

The height of oregano is from 30 to 60 cm. The rhizome is oblique, creeping.

The stems are branched, tetrahedral, with slight pubescence. Over time, mature stems become woody at the base.

Oregano leaves are opposite, petiolate, oblong, pointed. They have a soft, fuzzy structure. Located along the entire length of the tender stems, decreasing in size towards the apex.

The flowers form dense, numerous shields. Corolla pale purple.

The fruit consists of four nuts.

How to choose and how to store?

When collecting raw materials for preparing medicines or dishes, preference should be given to plants with dense stems and bright green leaves. When fresh, oregano retains its taste and benefits for no more than 5 days. For longer storage it must be dried.

It is better to buy oregano seasoning from trusted spice manufacturers. There should be no mold, no signs of discoloration or darkening of the leaves.

At home, the spice should be stored in a dark place in a closed ceramic or glass container with a tight lid (to prevent the essential oils from evaporating).

Use in cooking

Oregano is used everywhere in cooking, but mostly in the Mediterranean countries. In Russia, tea is prepared using it; in Rus', it was customary to treat guests to kvass with oregano. In the Caucasus, the spice is used for pickling vegetables and mushrooms.

What dishes are they added to?

Oregano seasoning has won the approval of many famous chefs. Without this spice it is impossible to imagine Italian, Greek, French cuisine. It goes well with legumes (beans, peas, lentils) and can brighten up the taste of peas and bean soup.

Dry oregano is best suited for meat; it harmonizes with beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. It is added to minced meat for cutlets or homemade sausages. It is also used to complement dough for baking bread or sweet rolls.

The French prepare the famous ratatouille with the addition of spices, which bring out the taste of stewed and baked vegetables in a special way. When fresh, it is added to salads and dessert dishes based on fruits and berries, and served with cheeses.

Oregano goes well with tomatoes, champignons, potatoes, hot cheese dishes, fish and seafood (usually used for baking), egg and cottage cheese dishes - casserole, omelet.

In Italy, the spice is an indispensable component in the recipes of pasta, pizza, lasagna, ravioli, and ham. It is added to salads, sauces and light cold snacks.

What spices does it go with?

Along with oregano, the use of other herbs and spices requires culinary knowledge and experience due to the specificity of the first. So, for example, it’s bad with garden herbs - dill and green onions, as well as turmeric. The spice harmonizes well:

• with rosemary;
• basil (best with lemon and green);
• thyme;
• black, white, allspice;
• tarragon;
• celery;
• bay leaf;
• mustard seeds.

What to replace

It is difficult to achieve identical taste in a culinary composition, but if the spice is missing, you can replace oregano in the recipe with one of the following spices:

• marjoram (a garden type of spice) is a universal option, suitable for all dishes that contain oregano in the recipe;
• thyme - when preparing meat and legume dishes;
• a mixture of peppermint and dried basil - when preparing pasta and pizza.

An alternative to adding spice to a Greek salad is dried marjoram or fresh basil.

Features of use

Oregano is a very aromatic herb; when used in large quantities, it can “eclipse” the natural taste of a dish.

The spice should be added no earlier than 5-7 minutes before the end of cooking, because prolonged heat treatment destroys its beneficial properties.

Before using fresh oregano, it is preferable to tear it with your hands rather than chop it with a knife, so the essential oils in the plant evaporate more slowly and the oregano will impart all its aroma to the dish.

Useful and medicinal properties of oregano

Even healers in Ancient Greece knew about the benefits and harms of oregano. Mentions of this plant are found in the works of Aristotle, Hippocrates and Virgil. Oregano is a medicinal herb. The powerful healing effect is due to the content of thymol, a natural antiseptic that has a detrimental effect on bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

The following beneficial properties of oregano are distinguished:

• antimicrobial;
• painkiller;
• sedative;
• expectorant;
• stimulating;
• diuretic;
• diaphoretic;
• immunomodulatory.

Oregano is used by folk healers as a remedy for the treatment of many diseases.

1. Digestive system disorders. Increases the secretion of gastric juice, helps normalize intestinal motility, eliminates flatulence.
2. Acute and chronic bronchitis. An infusion of dry or fresh finely chopped oregano herb helps get rid of coughs, thins and removes mucus.
3. Good for women's health (it's not for nothing that the herb is called motherwort). Improves the menstrual cycle, eliminates periodic pain and cramps, increases lactation during breastfeeding. Relieves unwanted symptoms during menopause: relieves nervous tension, reduces headaches, hot flashes. The only contraindication for women is pregnancy.
4. Increased nervous excitability as a sedative for children. A sachet under the pillow, made up of equal parts of oregano, lavender and peppermint, can quickly calm down a naughty baby and ensure a restful sleep.
5. Skin irritations, manifestations of psoriasis, dermatitis. Compresses made from oregano decoction relieve acne, allergic rashes, and boils.
6. Helps cope with diseases of the genitourinary system. If you brew oregano tea for cystitis or renal colic, it will quickly relieve inflammation and pain.
7. For diabetes mellitus, it is useful to use oregano seeds. They contain flavonoids and polyphenols that inhibit the enzymes PTP1B and DPP-IV, which play a key role in insulin secretion.
8. The use of oregano as a general tonic is indicated for patients with reduced immunity, acute respiratory diseases, and chronic infections of the upper respiratory tract.

Official medicine, along with folk medicine, recognizes and highly values ​​the medicinal properties of the plant.

Some medications (“Urolesan”, “Valoserdine”) contain oregano extract. The plant is part of herbal teas (Chest No. 1, Diaphoretic No. 2, Sedative No. 3, Gynecological).

Powder of dried oregano and St. John's wort is used in the complex treatment of acute catarrhal rhinitis.

Oregano care

The grass does not require special care. The main period in which you need to be an attentive owner is the first year. Site preparation is an important process and must be approached with all responsibility. The place must have access to light, the soil must be loose and well-fed. An area with close water is not suitable for growing.

Watering

Drying out is also detrimental to the plant, so oregano requires regular watering. Moisture level is the most important condition for good growth. Excess water is also harmful to the root system. To prevent rainwater from stagnating, it is recommended to dig drainage ditches. It is important to regularly feed the soil.

Top dressing

This procedure is carried out two to three times a year. The mineral-rich soil is fed from the second season. In spring, sprinkle with saltpeter, sand or compost. After collecting the seeds, a second feeding is carried out. Plants intended for decoration are not fertilized or fed a little.

This will prevent the bush from growing while maintaining an attractive appearance. The soil, by the way, must always remain loose. Therefore, regular weeding of the soil around the shoots is necessary. A dense surface will not allow air to the root system and will slow down development, and weeds will quickly sprout between small shoots.

Mulching and pruning

To achieve better plant respiration, mulch is scattered around the stems. For uniform growth and development of oregano, it is necessary to carry out sanitary pruning of flowering plants. In the first year, flowers are not allowed to ripen because they interfere with the growth of strength and health. Such plants may not survive the first winter.

Next, every spring the old stems are removed, allowing the young shoots to develop. The oregano plant requires periodic replanting. This sanitary procedure is done once every three years. At this point, it is recommended to vegetatively divide the bushes. Thanks to selection, the most common varieties of oregano tolerate cold well.

Greenness is preserved under the snow cover and the grass does not wither. Frozen shoots die and new shoots quickly sprout in their place.

Collection of oregano

The plant is collected for the second season of development. Harvesting occurs at the moment of maximum flowering. Only flowers and foliage are used, so only the top 10 - 20 centimeters are trimmed. Stems are not used. After collection, individual branches are collected into bouquets that are dried. They are hung on ropes or laid out in a warm and dry place.

When the bunches dry, leaves and flowers are collected from them, and the remains are disposed of. To prepare the seeds, the flowers are not collected in the summer, but are left until the fruiting season. At the beginning of autumn, when the boxes ripen, they are carefully removed from the branches, dried and crushed.

Contraindications and harm of oregano

Oregano also has contraindications - not everyone will benefit from using the plant as a medicine or spice. You should absolutely not use oregano:

• during pregnancy (has a stimulating effect on the smooth muscles of the uterus, which increases the risk of miscarriage and premature birth);
• for stomach and duodenal ulcers;
• with gastritis with increased acidity of gastric juice.

Warning for men: long-term or excessive use of the spice can provoke the development of erectile dysfunction.

Oregano should not be used as a seasoning for children under 3 years of age due to the risk of allergic reactions.

Growing conditions

Oregano is considered a very unpretentious plant. Its cold resistance, which allows this crop to grow well and winter in harsh conditions, makes it possible to grow it even in the northern regions.

Permeable nutrient soils with neutral acidity are best suited for this spicy crop. It does not tolerate acidic and clayey soils. The place for growing must be chosen in sunny areas. Only young specimens can tolerate slight shading.

Another advantage of oregano is drought resistance. But only adult plants have it. During germination, emergence of seedlings and the formation of the first few pairs of true leaves, seedlings require a lot of water.

In the first year of life, this crop blooms quite late (late August - early September), so the fruits do not have time to fully ripen. In subsequent years, oregano shoots begin to grow from April 10 to May 10, so flowering begins in July, and, accordingly, the seeds ripen in September.

Interesting Facts

1. To the ancient Greeks, the spicy aroma of oregano seemed so divine that they considered the plant to be the creation of Aphrodite herself.
2. In Germany, oregano is called “sausage grass” because the spice is used in the preparation of the famous German sausages.
3. From Greek, “oregano” is translated as “the joy of the mountains” or “mountain decoration.”
4. Oregano is one of the best remedies for moths.

Oregano is not just a herb used to add special flavor to foods. This is a real treasure trove of health benefits. Using the seasoning in the preparation of everyday and holiday dishes, you can enjoy its unique aroma and get rid of many diseases.

What can be replaced?

If the recipe includes oregano, but you don’t have it on hand in its pure form, you can replace the herb.

Most often, instead of oregano, they use:

• basil+mint;
• cilantro;
• marjoram;
• dill + parsley;
• thyme;
• tarragon.

At the same time, you need to remember that cilantro is replaced with matryoshka only when preparing Greek salad, and tarragon is used for pizza. In addition, you can use a mixture of seasonings such as “Herbs de Provence” or “Curry”, which initially includes oregano.