The sketchbook challenge theme for June is "pathways" I think these garlic scapes have no direction at all. This is my June entry
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Garlic scapes
Last fall I planted leeks, garlic, shallots, onions and chives. They survived the winter and are getting close to harvest time but what the heck are these curly things growing?
I was browsing blogs this morning and found a lovely post on Garlic scapes. Wow that's what they are. Now I am excited. Apparently these stalks that grow and curl start the seed process but they rob from the development of the garlic bulbs so it is best to cut them out. Great! Now What? I browsed some more blogs with garlic scapes a subject matter and came up with a great pesto recipe. I now had an unplanned project for the day:The scapes were cut so then I toasted some almonds and tossed them in the food processor
Garlic scapes, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.
Garlic scapes, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.
I tossed it in the processor too and then added the chopped scapes and 1/2 cup olive oil. I whirred it all up and presto, pesto. It seemed absolutely the perfect thing to do to top in on a fresh piece of bread. Yum.I understand garlic scapes appear at local Farmers' markets so watch out for them this time of year.
Bon Appetit!
Parmasean cheese, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.
Parmasean cheese, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.
add 1/3 cup Parmasean cheese
It has a fresh spring flavor with a fabulous garlic taste. Here is the recipe from Dorie Greenspan's blog.garlic scape pesto, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.
A spoonful on a piece of fresh bread, divine
Thursday, June 23, 2011
and then there were 4
Eleven weeks ago I became the proud chicken owner of 5 baby chicks, all "sexed" prior to taking them home. Each has taken on her own personality with the most curious and most daring one being "Popcorn", a buff Orpington (tan or golden color) Well last week after releasing the chicks from their coop in the morning Popcorn looked right at me, flapped her wings and crowed out a pathetic "cock-a doodle-do" It was apparent for sure that Popcorn was not a girl chicken but a rooster. So he has gone to a new home. Denver does allow chickens but no roosters. I am sad to lose this curious cockerel but I am comforted knowing he has a new good home.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Welcome to my new garden!
It has been exactly one year since I arrived to my new home in Denver. The back yard was mostly mowed weeds but showed lots of potential: there was enough room for a yard for Sophie and my Denver granddaughters and still room left over for a garden and needless to say lots of sunshine! Even a space for some chickens. So I started my plan.
I wanted a French Potager garden to include vegetables as well as flowers and fruit. Now 12 months later I have apple trees, artichoke plants an asparagus bed, blooming wisteria finding its way up the iron arbor I brought from California along with my favorite roses. Sunflower, poppy and pumpkin seeds have been planted in a total of 7 raised redwood beds along with the expected tomatoes and squash. I have grapes and watermelon, celery for soup, basil for Italian cuisine, sugar snap peas for snacking and petunias to shade a place for me to read. The garden is brand new but will hopefully bloom and grow.
Enjoy your garden tour:
Tucked in the corners
To soften the whole "box" look I tucked flowers, herbs and fruit in the corners
Friday, June 17, 2011
Fresh picked from the garden
It has been a long time since my last posting mainly because I have been out in my dirt creating a garden from basically nothing. The first to be planted were these sugar snap peas on St. Patrick's Day. That's the guideline date for planting peas!! Well they are ready to eat. The best way is to pick them right off the vine and pop them in your mouth but when your harvest is more than a snack then in to the kitchen they go
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