Friday July 09, 2010

Carole’s Concoctions:
Garlic Scape Pesto

What makes everything taste better but makes some things smell worse?


GARLIC!

No matter who has been a guest on Heirloom Meals Radio we are always being handed recipes that use garlic.  Lucky for us, we happen to have garlic in all its forms around Boulderwood Farm and enjoy its delights in our meals at least once a day!  We pulled up one garlic bulb today and it appears as though my crop needs at least two more weeks until they can be harvested.

Although garlic bulbs get most of the press, garlic scapes, which used to be considered compost - not an ingredient, are the staple of our homemade garlic scape pesto.  You can also use them as a kind of exotic, sculptural floral arrangement! 

To make garlic scape pesto you have to muster all of your concocting genius. As a start, put 15-20 garlic scapes (cut into pieces) into a Cuisinart and add olive oil until you have a desirable consistency.  I like to add a handful or two of walnuts and grated parmesan cheese to taste.  If you have fresh basil or some other herbs/nuts/spices etc. you want to experiment with - throw them in!  Pesto is great on sandwiches, pasta, crackers, chips, cheese and a whole lot more so have no fear; whatever you come up with is bound to be good on something! Also, make lots of extras as this concoction freezes brilliantly.

One last thing about garlic...
If you would like to plant some garlic of your own stay away from supermarket bulbs since most of them have been genetically modified to the point of no return. Visit you local farm or farmstead and pick up the healthiest looking bulbs there and plant them in deep, rich, full sun soil around Columbus Day.