Gardening
Fall-Planted Cover Crops Provide Many Benefits to Gardens
Speed the process of drying basil by removing the leaves of freshly harvested basil from the stems then dry the leaves using a microwave or dehydrator.
Photo courtesy of All-America Selections
Don't let a bumper crop of basil go to waste. Preserve its flavor and zest with proper storage and preservation.
Extend the life of fresh basil by removing any discolored leaves and cutting the bottom of the stems off at an angle. Set the stems in a jar with an inch or two of water. Loosely cover it with a plastic bag and set it on the kitchen counter out of direct sunlight. Change the water every few days. Basil stored this way is conveniently located for use and can last for five days or more.
Preserve some basil for future use. Drying herbs is easy but not the best option for basil. The flavor can change during the drying process. If you opt for this method, dry small amounts of basil in bundles hanging upside down. Secure the stems with a rubber band. As the stems shrink, so does the rubber band. Place the bundle in a brown paper bag with the stems sticking out of the bag to dry. Punch holes in the sides of the bag and hang it in a warm dry location where the air can circulate through the bag to speed drying. Avoid binding large amounts of basil together as it is more likely to dry slowly and mold.
Better yet, remove the leaves from the stems of freshly harvested basil. Speed drying with the help of a microwave or dehydrator. Evenly spread two cups of washed herb leaves on a double thickness of paper towel. Microwave on high for four to six minutes depending on your microwave. Follow the manufacturer's directions when drying basil in a food dehydrator.
Fully dried herbs will be brittle and rattle when stirred. Store dried herbs in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark location. Label the container with the name of the herb and the date preserved.
Dried herbs are usually three to four times stronger than fresh herbs. To substitute dried herbs in a recipe that calls for fresh herbs, use 1/4 to 1/3 of the amount listed in the recipe.
Freezing is another way to preserve basil. It does change the texture so frozen basil is best used in soups, stews, and other recipes but not as a garnish.
Remove the stems and blanch the leaves in boiling water for three seconds. Then quickly move the leaves to cold water for several seconds to cool quickly. Blanching helps basil retain its green color. Dry the leaves. Once dry, spread the leaves on a tray or cookie sheet and place them in the freezer. Once the leaves are frozen solid move them to airtight containers and store them in the freezer. You can also spread the leaves in layers separated by parchment paper, slide the layers into a freezer bag, then place it flat in the freezer.
Alternatively, chop leaves and place them into an ice cube tray. Fill the empty space with a little water or olive oil depending on how you plan to use it in the future. Allow these to freeze solid. Pop them out of the ice cube tray and place them in an airtight freezer-quality container, label and place them back in the freezer. Pesto can also be frozen using this ice cube method.
Preserving basil when it is bountiful allows you to enjoy it throughout the year. You'll appreciate the homegrown flavor and money savings.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including The Midwest Gardener's Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses "How to Grow Anything" DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Antiques
Character Toys
Photo courtesy of Wayne Tuiskula
Character toys resemble popular figures like cartoon characters, TV show stars, superheroes, and more. Palmer Cox's Brownies were the subjects of the first character toys and may have also been the first licensed toy, according to a 2018 Kovel's article. Brownies were characters created by Palmer Cox in the 19th century. "Brownies, like fairies and goblins, are imaginary little spirits, who are supposed to delight in harmless pranks and helpful deeds. They work and sport while weary households sleep, and never allow themselves to be seen by mortal eyes," according to Cox. Character toys increased in popularity from there and were produced throughout the 20th century and even continue to be made now.
Some toys that Baby Boomers grew up with sell well at auction today. We sold a L'il Abner Dogpatch band from 1945 for over $200 in our June auction. A Flash Gordon Ray gun with box from the 1950s sold for $350 in 2016. A Donald Duck Linemar firetruck with "crazy action" brought $425 in April 2023. Rare toys can bring massive prices. A Popeye Linemar windup pilot toy went for $3,000 in 2018.
Some 1960s figures also bring strong auction results. A set of Beatles Bobbleheads described as "car mascots" sold for $1200 in 2018. A rare Jackie Kennedy Madame Alexander doll brought over $3,000 in 2016. A rare Yanoman tin lithographed Batman in the Batmobile reached over $11,000 in 2015.
Robots are some of the best-selling character toys from the 1970s. Sony AIBO ERS-1000 Entertainment Robot Dog fetched almost $2,800 in 2022. A Red Baron Jumbo Machinder Popy Shogun Warriors robot with box went for $3,000 in 2016. Kotobukiya Robocop 2 CAIN one coin action figure brought nearly $8,000 in 2021.
Star Wars toys are some of the most popular and valuable from the 1980s. A Star Wars ESB Kenner Advertising Display - "Collect All 32 Action Figure" went for $8,450 in 2016. "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - Hoth Rebels Set" 3-Pack Series 1 with an AFA (Action Figure Authority) grade of 75 EX+/NM sold for over $11,000 in 2018. A 1980 Kenner Star Wars 32 Back-B Yoda Sealed Action figure grading AFA NM+/MT 90, which the seller believed to be the highest graded version, brought $19,200.
Moving into the 1990s, My Little Pony toys are some of the top sellers from that decade. Three (mint in box) MIB toys all sold for the same price in 2017. They were the My Little Pony days of the week ring and earring set, My Little Pony the movie "All About Princess Twilight Sparkle" figure, and My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Spike the Dragon small plush toy. Bidders ponied up nearly $10,000 for each.
We will soon be picking up a toy collection from a major Boston-based collector who has appeared on a reality TV show about toys. This collection will be available in our next auction, along with comic books and underground comic posters, and memorabilia. We are nearing the consignment deadline for that auction. The following auction will include jewelry, sterling silver, art, and a wide variety of antiques and collectibles. We are accepting coins and other consignments for that auction. I'll be teaching my "Evaluating your Antiques" class on Tuesday, October 3rd at Bay Path Adult Evening School in Charlton. Please visit our website https://centralmassauctions.com for links to upcoming event.
Contact us at: Wayne Tuiskula Auctioneer/Appraiser Central Mass Auctions for Antique, Collectibles Auctions and Appraisal Services www.centralmassauctions.com (508-612- 6111).