Use Basil even with bugs? (leaves, eat, cut, large)

[mitopcat]

I'm usually really hesitant about using produce that is ridden with bugs or have been eaten by bugs. I pulled, clipped, washed, and thrown out the bad brown leaves. I still get chills using anything that has been eaten not by me.

Otherwise, after clearing the basil plants, they look pretty good. Most of the large leaves have holes that were eat by bugs, but I'm OK after being cleaned and then later used as something like pesto or dried.

I need advice, or at least to know if you would use this basil, especially if they were being chewed up by bugs. There are not other things on them, they were just chewed up.

[marino760]

Don't worry about it. A few bites by bugs isn't going to affect how you use the basil. Just wash it like you are doing.

[evening sun]

Of course I would use it. Wash it well, & cut off any bitten bits, if that makes you feel better.

[silibran]

Originally Posted by evening sun

Of course I would use it. Wash it well, & cut off any bitten bits, if that makes you feel better.

This is what I do.

[nmnita]

If I worried about everything in the garden that a bug might have eaten before I got to it, a lot of what I get would be thrown in the woods. I am not afraid of a few bugs on a plant. I just make sure the basil is washed well and the bug bite spots are cut away.

[mitopcat]

Thanks to everyone. I realize it seemed over the top to fear about using this basil. I have never got it go to this point.

Thanks for calming my nerves. I will make sure it's cleaned well, grind it down and use it in my recipes.

[charlygal]

Aren't bugs on all produce at one time or another?

[marino760]

Originally Posted by charlygal

Aren't bugs on all produce at one time or another?

Not only that, but bugs are on the menu in many cultures.