07.03.24

Around The Farm

UW Farm Opens Aquaculture Plot to Support Indigenous Food Sovereignty on Campus
By Kove Janeski, Farm Staff, UW Alumni, Master of Landscape Architecture Program, Spring ’24

As an extension of the wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House’s Native Garden, an aquaculture plot has taken shape at the UW Farm’s site at the Center for Urban Horticulture. The clay-lined waterbody will grow wapato (Sagittaria latifolia), a plant that is native to most of the Americas. According to the Confluence Project, a non-profit that elevates Indigenous voices along the Columbia River, wapato was an especially important food source in the Pacific Northwest. Along the middle and lower Columbia River, for instance, families would harvest large patches of wapato in stream banks, sloughs, and marshes for a month or more out of the year. The plant was so abundant that it became the main food source for the botanist David Douglas, when he visited the area in the 1820s.

With guidance from Farm Manager Perry Acworth and Landscape Faculty Julie Johnson, I have been the design/build manager for this project. In the near future, this aquaculture plot will share the northeastern corner of the Farm with a greenhouse and wash/pack facility. Because the aquaculture plot does not have a naturally occurring water source, a rainwater harvesting and storage system in this planned structure will be integral in the aquaculture plot’s long-term success – especially during Seattle’s dry season.
Although wapato is the aquaculture plot’s sole crop for now, a walking path bisects the plot and could allow for multiple planting zones in the future. This means that the UW Farm could be other water-loving plants alongside wapato in the future – cranberries, lotus, rice, and beyond!

Produce Highlight: Garlic Scapes
 

Garlic is a fan favorite worldwide. It’s used in various dishes and even in dietary supplements. With all of the glory that garlic receives, many people aren’t aware of its edible immature flower stalks known as garlic scapes. 

Garlic scapes, also known as curls, are the thin, long green shoots that grow from the garlic bulbs. This pig-tail looking shoot is a short-seasoned spring treat in which as the bulb grows and hardens, a green shoot pokes its head through the ground and curls like a pig-tail before straightening.

Now you might be wondering, what exactly does the word scape mean? Scapes are a leafless flowerless stalk of the plant. We can see these in plants such as Snowdrops (Galanthus) and tulips! At the end of these scapes, beautiful flowers develop. Cutting these scapes helps preserve the water and nutrients in the bulb which will maintain its quality for harvest. If the scapes of the plant were undisturbed, the garlic would bloom and the bulb would wither, focusing on sending all of its energy to the flowers, rather than keeping it stored in the bulbs. Instead, we get delicious garlic scapes that have a unique flavor that’s a cross between garlic, onion, and scallion, but milder and less spicy than raw garlic cloves. 

How might you use garlic scapes in cooking? There are various ways that they can be used:

• Grilled: Toss the garlic scapes with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until the scapes are slightly charred and tender.
• Dressings: Finely dice up the scapes and mix them into your favorite dressings
• Sautéed: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add scapes and seasonings, and cook until crisp-tender.
• Pickled: Chop the scapes into lengths to fit into the mason jar that you’re using. Combine apple cider, vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a medium sauce pot. Pour the brine into the jars until the scapes are completely covered. Tighten the lids and place the jars into the fridge to pickle for at least two weeks.

Garlic scapes are not only delicious, but they also have many health benefits. They’re high in allicin, which is a compound that’s been shown to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Allicin also helps with reducing inflammation in the body and improves cardiovascular health. These scapes are also a great source of vitamins and minerals, which include vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin B6. 

Image Source: Katie Krejci

Recipe of the Week:

Creamy Garlic Scape and Kale Dip

By: Zereen Gesmundo, Nutrition Education Intern

Recipe source: Zereen Gesmundo, Nutrition Education Intern
& Image Source: Things I Made Today

How can garlic scapes be used? They can be used to make delicious dips! This creamy garlic scape and kale dip is a wonderfully simple appetizer for crackers and can even be used on toast. The image that I used for this recipe uses mint, however, I decided to use lavender instead for a more floral and rich flavor.

Ingredients:

• 6 Garlic Scapes (diced)
• 1 bunch of kale (about 2 cups), chopped
• 1/3 tsp. lavender blooms
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt or vegan yogurt
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Instructions:

1.  Roughly chop up the garlic scapes and add them to a food processor along with the chopped kale. Process into the food processor until very finely chopped. Scrape the contents into a medium-sized bowl.
2. Add the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lavender, and salt and pepper. Mix well. Add more salt and pepper to taste if needed.
3. Chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, then serve with your favorite chips or crackers!

News and Noteworthy:

UW Farm Upcoming Involvement Opportunities

Work Study UW Farm Student Staff – Paid Position

More available paid and unpaid opportunities to check out on our website.

Career Opportunities in Agriculture & Food Systems:

• Executive Director- Project Feast 
• Communications Director- South Seattle Community Food Hub
• Farm Stand Manager- The Green River Farm Stand
• Farm Program Director- Tilth Alliance
• WA Eat Local First Jobs Board 
• Farmers Markets Positions

Food Access Resources

The UW Farm donates regularly to the UW Food Pantry. During peak season we also donate to nearby food banks. The links below are resources to help you or someone you know with food access.  

• UW Food Pantry: The UW Food Pantry | Any Hungry Husky (washington.edu)
• Northwest Harvest Food Donation sites: Public Drop Sites – Northwest Harvest
• University District Food Bank: Donate Food and Items – University District Food Bank (udistrictfoodbank.org)
• Food Lifeline: Volunteer – Food Lifeline

Help The Farm Grow!

Every year, we have the capacity to grow more food and increase our educational and research program at the UW, but not without your support. Every contribution goes to work immediately, helping us better serve students. Your support can sustain our momentum and help seed new opportunities for student internships, academic work, and future growth. Please consider making a gift to the Farm online