Italian Large Leaf Basil is similar to Genovese (the pesto-perfect variety) and is just as good for making classic Italian sauces (hint, pesto, hint.) Italian Large Leaf plants grow between one-and-a-half to two feet tall, with fat three-to-four-inch basil leaves. The oils that make basil so amazingly fragrant are the same ones that will repel certain bad garden bugs--plant basil among your veggies to keep tomato hornworms and mites at bay. While you can't really go wrong with any preparation of basil, this variety is especially scrumptious when used simply, like in a lo-fi tomato slice sandwich or among tomatoes and fresh mozzarella (don't forget the balsamic vinegar) to make Caprese salad.
