CSA Inspiration: Garlic Scapes

My CSA starts next week and I am getting excited (and a little nervous about being able to use all that produce). I’m hoping that garlic scapes make an appearance in the first week or two, mainly because I can make this delicious, addictive dip. It’s great with pita chips or veggies (snap peas and red peppers come to mind) and will be a big hit at your next cocktail party or barbecue.

(What are garlic scapes, you may ask? They are the flowering stalks of a garlic plant. They offer a subtle garlic flavor.)

White Bean and Garlic Scape Dip

1/3 cup sliced garlic scapes (3 to 4)

Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon

1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt, more to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1. In a food processor, combine the garlic scapes with the lemon juice, zest, salt and pepper until finely chopped. Add the beans and process to a rough purée.

2. With motor running, drizzle olive oil through feed tube and process until smooth. Pulse in 2 or 3 tablespoons water, or more, until the mixture is the consistency of a dip. Add more salt, pepper and/or lemon juice, to taste.

3. Spread out dip on a plate, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with more sea salt. Serve with vegetables and pita chips.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups.