Nutritional Newsletters

Meet Lydia!

Lydia is interning on the farm this summer.  She attends Mansfield University and is a majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics. The summer she will be writing a nutritional newsletter for the farm each week.  Lydia's newsletter will feature a different item from the CSA share boxes each week.  She will provide nutritional highlights and preparation ideas for the selected item.

This week she featured Garlic Scapes!

Greetings everyone!

            I hope you found some tasty and creative ways to cook up yours peas last week.  Or maybe you just ate them raw before they ever made out of your box; simply delicious either way!

Featured Item:

            This week we have decided to feature garlic scapes; you know, those mysterious and mystifying loopy things that somewhat resemble the crazy straws we all delighted in using as kids.  It just so happens that garlic scapes are packed full of some key vitamins and minerals.  However, before we get into that, let me give you a brief overview of where these tender little stems come from.  Garlic scapes act as the stem for the seed head that is produced by the garlic bulb.  They are often removed because they take away vital energy and nutrients from the bulb growing underground.

Nutritional Highlights:

            Garlic scapes share many of the same nutritional benefits with garlic bulbs.  According to Sarah Ellis, MS, RD, garlic scapes are abundant in phytochemicals that act as antioxidants, tumor suppressants, or detoxifying agents.  In addition, they are high in vitamin C, calcium, and protein.  Garlic scapes are also thought to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. 

Recipe Ideas:

·         Chop into bite-sized pieces and add to a fresh salad

·         Add to any of your favorite egg dishes

·         They make an excellent pizza topping!  (Sautee first to soften slightly)

·         Add raw to pasta salads

·         Add to soups

·         Chop finely and add to softened cream cheese or butter to spread on a sandwich or bagel for a savory treat

·         Add to mashed potatoes

Here are some more recipes for you to enjoy:

·         http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pasta-with-Garlic-Scape-Pesto-395769

·         http://spicedplate.blogspot.com/2011/07/garlic-scape-hummus.html

·         http://www.mariquita.com/recipes/garlic-scapes.html

Happy cooking!

-Lydia