I know this is bordering on lunacy, but ever since I heard conclusively that 'Garlic Mustard' (incredibly invasive plant pest that's rapidly dominating our natural areas) is indeed edible (it's thought to have likely been brought over by early european settlers as a pot herb, escaping their gardens and spreading like wild fire ever since), I've been on a mission to get a hold of some myself and cook with its' troublemaking self (because really, isn't that the ultimate revenge....?). Happily, I don't have any yet in my yard (*crosses fingers*. Did have it at my old house though -- should have been taking advantage of the free greens!) -- however a friend several blocks over has buckets of it . I've made arrangements to run over there and pull it up asap -- maybe even tomorrow if it's not raining too hard. I did have occasion to taste it recently, and found it wasn't that bad -- garlicky/peppery, with a little zip -- but nearly as 'bitey' as say, arugula (which I happen to adore). I actually thought it was ok. They do say it's best early in the season, which obviously it still is -- and that's it's really quite nutritious (who knew?). It'll be fun to have something fresh to pick and cook with -- especially since our garden veggies have a loooooooong way to go. Anyway, some communities around the country afflicted with this noxious weed host garlic mustard 'cook-offs', and cooking contests (tongue-in-cheek of course) -- how's that for making the best of a bad situation? My community doesn't happen to be one of them (wish it was -- clever idea IMO), but I'll happily do it on my own. I intend to come up with something for tomorrow night's dinner, if I 'harvest' it in time. Hmmm, and perhaps I'll not mention to my family what they've eaten until AFTER dinner....(rubbing hands gleefully). I may be off my rocker, but I do get a perverse thrill from making 'something from nothing', as it were. KWIM....?
Garlic Mustard Madness
April 26th, 2005 at 04:54 am
April 26th, 2005 at 09:09 pm 1114549770
April 27th, 2005 at 04:16 am 1114575398
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April 28th, 2005 at 03:42 pm 1114702964