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Shopping for Basil

Avoid basil sold in plastic boxes—it’s best to buy a loose bunch with the roots attached.

Avoid basil sold in plastic boxes—it’s best to bye a loose bunch with the roots attached.

Handfuls of fresh basil give recipes like our Garden Minestrone a bright and bold flavor. We bought several hundred dollars’ worth of basil while developing this recipe, and in the process came up with a few purchasing and storage tips. Avoid the basil sold in plastic clam-shell boxes: It is of inconsistent quality and is usually overpriced. A bunch of basil sold with its roots attached is a far better option. Not only will the leaves of this basil be more flavorful, but the basil will also last longer if you store it upright in a glass at room temperature, with the roots submerged in an inch or two of water.

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