Chard Stalks And Garlic Scape Pasta Recipes

SPAGHETTI AND SWISS CHARD WITH GARLIC CHIPS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook garlic, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer garlic with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Cook onion in oil remaining in skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add currants and cook, stirring, until plumped, about 1 minute.
• Stir chard stems into onion mixture with water and 3/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Cook, covered, over medium-high heat until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in chard leaves and cook, covered, until stems and leaves are tender, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 5 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water and drain spaghetti.
• Toss spaghetti with chard, olives, and 1/2 cup cooking water, adding more cooking water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Serve sprinkled with feta and garlic chips.

PASTA WITH GARLIC-SCAPE PESTO

Steps:

• Make the pesto: Puree the garlic scapes, pistachios, Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a food processor until very finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly pour the oil through the opening. Season the pesto with salt and pepper to taste. (The pesto keeps in the fridge, covered, for 1 week or frozen for a month.)
• In a large pot of heavily salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta-cooking water, then drain the pasta. Whisk together 2/3 cup of the pesto and the reserved pasta water and toss with the pasta. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve right away.

CHARD STALKS AND GARLIC SCAPE PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the Swiss chard stems in boiling water until tender, 10 to 15 minutes; drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
• Bring a separate large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the vermicelli pasta in boiling water until tender yet firm to the bite, 4 to 5 minutes; drain.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter with the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; stir in the onion and garlic scapes. Cook and stir until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, stir in the chard stalks, and cook until the onion has browned, about 5 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper; stir in the cooked pasta to serve.