Let’s talk about the benefits of a CSA. I honestly think the most beneficial part of participating in a CSA is the exposure to heirloom varietals that you would never have experienced from shopping at a grocery store. Grant Family Farms grows over 150 different varieties of their vegetables, many of which some of us may have never heard. It’s my hope to give you some background on these interesting varietals as they come through my box.
This week in the box I received produce from both of the major garlic varietals. Anyone who knows me well can tell you that there is hardly anything I don’t put garlic in. I think it makes everything better. The first species in my box this week is the garlic scape, which come from hard neck garlic. Hard neck garlic is a more temperamental species so you don’t usually find it in grocery stores. It creates these scapes which if left to their own would flower. Farmers cut the scapes so that the plant focuses it’s energy on the growth of the garlic bulb instead of the flower. Most people are unfamiliar with scapes, but their profile is more of a mild garlic/green onion flavor. They are a perfect addition to anything you would add onion or garlic to.
I also recieved bulbs of soft neck garlic which you find most often in your store. These are more temperature tolerant plants, and they produce more garlic in their bulbs. The species I have seems to be a purple soft neck varietal, which has an assertive flavor.
With these two garlic varieties, as well as with the snow peas I got from the box this week, I decided to make a Double Garlic Carbonara. The bacon fat will mellow out the assertive garlic flavors here to create a perfectly balanced pasta.
If you’re in the Colorado/Wyoming region, I encourage you to check out Grant Family Farms CSA. Their summer season lasts from June – December, and members can sign up at any time. Whit’s Amuse Bouche readers will receive a 5% discount on any purchase from Grant Family Farms by entering FARMFRESHAB at check out!
Double Garlic Carbonara
Ingredients:
- spaghetti - 1 pound
- butter - 2 tablespoons
- bacon - 4 strips, diced
- soft neck garlic cloves - 4, diced
- garlic scapes - 1/4 cup, diced
- parmesan - 1 cup, freshly grated
- pepper - to taste
- flat leaf parsley - 1/4 cup, chopped
- snow peas - 1 cup, chopped
- egg yolks - 3
Instructions:
Love,
Whit
NOM NOM NOM.
What is a garlic scape? This is the second recipe I’ve seen lately with this as an ingredient.
CSA’s are the best. Glad you are enjoying it! That pasta looks fantastic!