Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Garlic Mustard Pesto Pasta

Garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata in the Brassicaceae family, is loved by foragers and hated by environmentalists.  It is considered an egregious invasive weed.  Thus, the best way to deal with this plant in honor of both groups is to just eat it!

It is super good for you as it contains vitamins A, C, E and B vitamins. It also contains calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and copper.  It is a heart shaped thin delicate leaf with a flavor of mild mustard and a hint of garlic.  The flowers are white with four petals shaped like a cross.  If you try to dry the leaves, they become nearly transparently thin.  The best way to enjoy the plant is fresh.  Just a warning, it wilts quickly. The older it gets, the more bitter it becomes.  It is also more bitter under dry environment conditions.  It likes to grow in shady edges of woods.
vitamins A, C, E and some of the B vitamins. In addition this wild weed contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium, copper, iron and manganese as well as omega-3 fatty acids. - See more at: http://www.ediblewildfood.com/blog/2012/04/eating-garlic-mustard-is-a-win-win/#sthash.ZNQMJifM.dpuf
vitamins A, C, E and some of the B vitamins. In addition this wild weed contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium, copper, iron and manganese as well as omega-3 fatty acids. - See more at: http://www.ediblewildfood.com/blog/2012/04/eating-garlic-mustard-is-a-win-win/#sthash.ZNQMJifM.dpuf

Garlic Mustard Pesto Pasta

Ingredients:

Garlic mustard season is now!
1 box of your favorite pasta
4 cups garlic mustard leaves
1/2 cup pine nuts 
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Add ingredients into food processor as listed and pulse until finely chopped.  Mixture will be stiff until olive oil is added, and then it will smooth out.

Meanwhile, boil pasta and drain.

Mix pesto into pasta a little at a time until desired consistency.  Freeze any remaining pesto for other use.  Top with additional Parmesan and serve!


Tons of garlic mustard!


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