Garlic Scape Pasta

"There is no such thing as a little garlic."
Arthur Baer

East Coast Dash Day 5 - Garlic Scape Pasta

Today the Dash took me up to New Jersey for a visit with fellow Blipper, best friend and food aficionado, Deb!

There's never been a meal served at Deb's place (fondly termed "The Estate" by our close circle of girlfriends) where I haven't wanted to throw manners aside and serve myself heaping seconds, sometimes thirds, of whatever delicious plate she's whipped up. So, when Deb told me she was preparing a Garlic Scape Pasta, I had no idea what it was, but I had no doubt whatsoever that it would be delectable in every way!

Discussing dinner plans over the phone from the car, I first thought she said Steak Pasta - also a very enticing reason to race toward New Jersey. But when she corrected me and explained exactly what "garlic scape" is, I put the pedal to the medal and made it to her kitchen in plenty of time to smell the first whiffs of garlic coming from the stove. What followed was one of the most memorable meals I've ever experienced at The Estate, served al fresco on her deck, accompanied by one of our favorite Petite Syrah wines, freshly baked bread, a simple green salad - and, of course, Willie's dry and confounding sense of humor as the evening's entertainment!

Unfortunately, today's Blip will never do justice to the incredible aromas and flavors on Deb's table tonight, nor does it capture the evening's ambience, a cool clear night with the smell of grass, fresh flowers and herbs, the lightning bugs swirling around the cabana and tiny birds stopping by for one last snack at the Bistro before bed. Of course, the Scape Pasta takes center stage here, followed closely by Deb's amazing freshly baked bread and the Petite Syrah, the perfect meal to close out a day of driving and a much-needed "send off" for the hectic week ahead of me in NYC. Add to that, hanging out with Deb and Willie on their deck is perhaps the warmest, most welcoming and certainly the most relaxing way to finish off a busy weekend.

I'm not embarrassed to say I had not one, not two, but three helpings of the Scape Pasta, and still managed to fit in two or three pieces of bread, just to be polite... That being said, I need to point out that the "finger claws" reaching out for the bread in this shot are not mine, but Willie's - he's been known to strike like a viper across the table when there's warm bread or freshly baked desserts within reach. I would advise not to find yourself in the path of "The Claw" - there's a very definite risk of losing a digit or two, and that might slow you down when dishing up another helping of Scape and pouring a fresh glass of wine!

Bon Appetit! And thanks for a great evening, Deb & Will!