What are some tips on preserving basil?

Basil can be preserved by drying the leaves, freezing them whole or freezing them in liquid. Basil must be preserved before the first frost, which kills the heat-loving herb.

To dry basil, place the leaves on a clean towel and mix them each day until the leaves are dry enough to break apart, according to Organic Gardening. Store the dried leaves in a sealed container. To freeze whole leaves, wash them and allow them to dry for a half-hour. Add a layer of leaves to a freezer-safe bag and place it flat in the freezer. To freeze basil in water, chop the leaves by hand or in a food processor, and pack an ice cube tray with the chopped leaves. Fill the cubes with water and freeze. The frozen cubes are easy to add to soups and sauces.