O is for Oregano

Beloved herb companion of the tomato, the wild marjoram or pot marjoram’s of old cookbooks, erba da funghi for Italians; oregano, it hangs drying in great clusters from our farm kitchen ceiling.

Reputed to be the herb to honor Aphrodite, newlyweds once wore garlands to give extra happiness to their union. And indeed a homemade pizza without an over abundant handful of oregano scattered across the surface would affect my own good outlook.

Imagine the poverty of the world without the mint family of thyme, sage, basil, savory, mint or oregano and the troubles of this sad world only increase.