Tutorials on Tap: Garden Herb Paletas

Farm-to-freezer treats

Herbs are some of the easiest and most versatile items to grow in a garden. Luckily for South Texas gardeners, our climate is prime for some of the best herbs, including basil, cilantro, dill, oregano, parsley, and rosemary. But what to do with your harvest once it’s ready? Try your hand at homemade paletas, the Mexican-style popsicle that will be your new favorite warm weather treat.

This watermelon-mint paleta has the perfect sweet-salty-spicy combination—don’t forget to add the chile seasoning for an extra kick! If you want to keep the fun going, here are two more paletarecipes that you can make using fresh herbs from your South Texas garden.

Lemon-Rosemary Paletas

Ingredients:

  • 3 medium-sized lemons
  • 3 tbsp. honey
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • ¼ tsp. fresh rosemary, rinsed and minced

Directions:

  1. Squeeze the lemons
  2. Add honey to the lemon juice and mix
  3. Add sugar to mixture
  4. Add rosemary to mixture
  5. Pour mixture into paleta molds
  6. Freeze for at least 6 hours

Strawberry-Basil-Jalapeño Paletas

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups fresh strawberries
  • ½ cup fresh basil
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 small jalapeño, halved and seeded

Directions:

  1. Combine sugar, water, and jalapeño in a small saucepan and bring to a boil
  2. Reduce heat and cook until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly
  3. Remove from heat and cool completely
  4. Remove jalapeño from syrup
  5. Combine strawberries, basil, honey, and sugar-jalapeño syrup in a blender or food processor
  6. Pour mixture into paleta molds and freeze for at least 6 hours

The treat that keeps on giving

When you make delicious treats using high-quality San Antonio water and herbs grown in your own garden, the payoff is all the more sweet. Starting your own herb garden will save you some cash in the long run and could be the kick-start you need for a more sustainable life. Don’t know where to start? Visit Garden Style SA to learn which plants, including herbs, require the least water to thrive.

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