Wednesday, July 05, 2006

CSA Week #4: Zesty Garlic Scape Pesto


What came in our CSA this week:

Beets
Garlic scapes
Bibb lettuce
Mesclun greens, mixed
Sugar snap peas
Cucumbers
Spring onions
Tatsoi

The farm seems to be in a precarious state of recovery, with more rains potentially imminent, but I think the excessive moisture has made all the greens that didn't drown robust and crunchy. The lettuces in particular are delicious.

I did another cooking demonstration at distribution today; the featured item was garlic scapes, so I made two varieties of pesto - a buttery one with pine nuts and parmesan, and a tangy, zesty one without.

Zesty Garlic Scape Pesto

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup garlic scapes, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cups grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
Salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Combine scapes and lemon juice in a food processor or blender and process about 1 minute, or until scapes are very finely chopped. With food processor running, add oil in a stream and blend another minute, . Add parmesan, lemon zest, and salt; process until desired consistency is acheived.
Serve as a dip or tossed with hot pasta. Enjoy!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say how much I love your blog. As a SoCal girl I am definitely living vicariously through your New York blog! And you inspired me to join my local CSA. I had my first pick up today--hope the flooding stops soon so you can enjoy your farm's full bounty. Thanks for blogging. Oh, my boyfriend and I also love your photos--what type of camera do you use?

Kate Croft said...

Oh, thank you! I'm absolutely delighted that you joined a CSA - how was yur first share? I'm not so sure I would mind trading NYC for Southern California every once in awhile...the camera I use is a Nikon Coolpix 5700, which is a beautiful camera with 5 MP, plenty of manual features, and a good zoom. It's actually J's camera, but I've interminably borrowed it! I also have a little Powershot that I keep in my purse for restaurant photography and other emergencies.

Thank you so much for your kind comments and support. Good luck with your CSA! You'll have to let me know how local SoCal CSA fare differs from NY...

ThursdayNext said...

Kate, this sounds so good. As I am looking at the photo, I am wondering - did you make your own pasta? Because it looks like you did! Mmm.

Kate Croft said...

Haha well, no, but I did buy handmade pasta at a local market! thanks for trying to give me the credit, though =)

Anonymous said...

Wow! That looks colourful and delicious. You've made so hungry!

Anonymous said...

Kate, this is what came in my first SoCal CSA share:

six avocados
carrots
leeks
scallions
summer squash (green and yellow)
spinach
romaine
raspberries
blueberries
cherries
tangerines
garlic

Made a mexican style quiche and greens topped with fresh avocado for dinner last night--yum!

Looking forward to reading more of your CSA recipes.

Lisa said...

That looks delicious! I've just discovered scapes at our market. Will have to try the pesto.

Michelle said...

Kate your food looks delicious and you have inspired me to join my local CSA! Yay! I will try some of your recipes as soon as I have some ingredients.

Michelle said...

What a creative idea! I had always imagined that pesto was made strictly from basil and this year I have seen so many new ways to make it with new ingredients! It sounds wonderful...and by the way, that's a fabulous looking cherry pie!!

Heather said...

First of all, I'm totally eyeing this garlic scape pesto recipe. They are such yummy things those garlic scapes! Haven't received any yet through my Cobble Hill CSA, but there is always the farmer's market. Thanks for providing such yummy recipes. Keep them coming, so I can keep using them too! :)

I was tapped to do a short meme, and since I've taken so many of your recipes I thought I'd invite you to do it too! But I won't be offended if you decline.

http://talesfromaveggiekitchen.blogspot.com/2006/07/5-things-meme.html

Anonymous said...

so fresh and so green! summer at its best.

Anonymous said...

I'm loving all forms of pesto, thanks for this one

Anonymous said...

Ooh! I'll definitely be trying this.