IN PRAISE OF JUNE ~ HERB BURGERS with BLACK OLIVE PESTO

“In June as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them.”

~ Aldo Leopold

Incarville delaveyi
(Hardy gloxinia, Trumpet flower)

________________

HERB BURGERS with BLACK OLIVE PESTO

~ Moist and tasty easy grilled treat adapted from Southern Living

___

1 lb. ground round

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

2 tsp. grated lemon rind

3/4 tsp. coarse salt

freshly ground pepper to taste

4 toasted Kaiser rolls or hamburger buns

shredded spinach or romaine lettuce leaves

tomato slices

• Combine ground round, basil, lemon rind salt and pepper. Do not overwork meat mixture. Shape into 4 patties.
• Grill 5-6 minutes on each side or until desired doneness.
• Serve on buns with black Olive Pesto, tomato slices and shredded spinach/romaine.

BLACK OLIVE PESTO

1 (6-oz.) jar drained pitted kalamata olives

1 garlic clove

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp. dried basil

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Process all ingredients in a food processor until a coarse paste forms.

GARDENER'S NOTE: Native to India, Tibet and China these old English garden favorites, known as hardy gloxinias, are actually related to trumpet vines. Relatively hardy, the plant needs a protected site and winter protection. Incarvillea produces exotic clumps of magenta to pink trumpet shaped blooms with lemon throats, fine additions to mixed borders and rock gardens. Flowers occur in June an July and may be prolonged if the fading flowers are removed. Although division is a possible method of propagation it should be avoided if possible as the plants grow best when undisturbed.