Snow goose & Tundra swan migration

Island memories

Fall

"Cause rain and leaves and snow and tears and stars... and that's not all my friend.  They all fall with confidence and grace.  So, let it fall... let it fall."  

-Over the Rhine

KC's Summer Garlic Scape Pesto

Been to a farmer's market this summer?  This time of year, you may spot some curly, light green, wild-looking things.  They're garlic scapes, and they're absolutely delicious.

They're the flower stalks of garlic plants, and farmers cut them off so the plant can work on growing the bulb.  Although some farmers may toss their scapes into the compost pile, you might just be lucky enough to know a farmer who knows just how tasty these can be and sell them to you.

So, 'what do I do with them,' you ask?

They're just as garlic-y as garlic cloves, but taste sweeter.  So, substitute them into anything that calls for garlic.  They can be grilled with a bit of olive oil drizzled on top.  Or, can be sauteed in a pasta sauce or chopped and thrown on top of a salad.

But, I discovered the best use of all- pesto!  I have been in love with pesto ever since my sister and I stayed in the Cinque Terre in Italy.  That's actually the home of pesto!

Here's a rough idea of how to make your own Summer Pesto with scapes, from the kitchen of Katie!  And, don't be afraid to experiment with whatever is most fresh!

1 (or 2 if you love garlic) bunch of garlic scapes
3-4 scallions
1 lemon (squeeze juice)
Fresh herbs: basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano (lemon oregano is tasty)
Grated Parmesan
Almonds (walnuts or pine nuts will do)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Blend all of the above in a food processor and add olive oil slowly as it blends.

Cook pasta until al dente, and in the last minutes of cooking, throw in asparagus tops, strips of zucchini, fresh sugar snap and snow peas- then strain when veggies are bright green.

Toss with pesto immediately, and top with more cheese, and enjoy with a crisp white wine and happy friends!

Happy summer !

Life is...

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.” 

― Mother Teresa

Well of Sorrow

Recipe Roundup: Hunt & Gather

"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” 

― Margaret Atwood

Spring is a time of new life... and new recipes! Celebrate the arrival of spring with this collection of recipes inspired by the great outdoors!

These recipes require you to kneel in the dirt, hover over streams, or rummage through the forest floor- but you will not be disappointed by the effort.  Hard work and time outside makes food taste even better!

A special thanks to Mom for this blog's roundup idea!  Happy foraging!
-ryn