Broad Leaf Thyme is a herb that grows almost wild throughout Barbados. It is a favourite in local cooking, and is commonly known as “Poor Man’s Bacon” as in the old days, people would fry and eat it as you would bacon.
As the name suggests, the leaves can get quite big - easily three or four inches. The leaf is quite thick and meaty, and is covered in a fine downy hair. The scent is strong and unmistakeable.
Broad Leaf Thyme is so easy to grow - just pop off a leaf with a bit of stem attached and stick it in the ground or in a pot. A bit of water here and there (not too much), and soon you will have a large healthy plant that will continue to spread if left untrimmed.
This variety of thyme is used liberally in local cooking, usually mixed with other herbs, salt, black pepper and probably some local hot peppers too. Everything gets chopped up together into a fine paste before being added to the pot or being used to marinate meat prior to cooking.
If you’d like to read more about Barbados, please visit my other blog, Things Barbados.
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