They’re here! Garlic scapes! What’s a garlic scape, you ask? It’s the cute curlicue that sprouts from the center stalk of garlic as it grows. Gardeners and farmers know to clip off the scape — it’s delicious! — and removing it sends the plant’s full energy toward the underground bulb. Here’s a primer on what to do with the garlic scapes you find at farmers’ markets now.
If you’ve been out to dinner recently and scanned the ‘salad’ portion of the menu, you’ve probably seen this trend: the non-lettuce salad. Chefs are getting away from the steakhouse wedge and basic house salad and featuring beautiful presentations of seasonal veg, lightly dressed, and with interesting add-ons. Get inspired by this collection of non-salad salad recipes on writes4food.com!
Ever been to a potluck or cookout and had quote-unquote pasta salad? You know what I mean: mushy corkscrew pasta, raw vegetables and icky bottled Italian dressing. Gross. *This* pasta salad is not *that* pasta salad. This Orzo Pasta Salad with Seasonal Vegetables recipe starts with the right kind of pasta, homemade dressing, and crisp-tender seasonal veg. Perfection. Hack it with different vegetables all year round. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!
Around here, we love sheet pan suppers: Pile everything onto a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast until it’s all tender and browned. Dinner — and cleanup — done! For the win! This Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetable Soup uses the same technique as a starting point. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!
Caprese salad? In winter? Usually, it’s a nonstarter to order a caprese, that traditional salad of perfectly ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil, at any time but the height of summer. But yeah, winter caprese salad: this one with roasted beets, moss and chard pesto. It totally works! Get the recipe on writes4food.com!
Winter squash and root vegetables are abundant in local farmers’ markets even during cold months. (Not like we’re exactly having typically cold winter weather right now.) Sauté these babies in lots of butter, simmer them in vegetable stock and fork them into a chunky mash that’s perfect as a side to grilled steak or roast chicken. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!
Here you go: your last-minute, super-easy Thanksgiving side dish, and healthy to boot!
This salad is so seasonal and so beautiful: matchsticks of butternut squash tossed with arugula and blue cheese in an easy vinaigrette dressing. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!
What to do with the crop of red bell peppers from the garden or farmers’ market? Make jam, of course! Sweet and a bit spicy (you can up the spice level to suit your taste), this is the perfect accompaniment to a salty cheese like Manchego. Inspired by a dish we had on vacation earlier this year. Get the recipe on writes4food.com!
