Garlic~ De l'Ail~ A little outing~

Garlic..not an herb nor a spice~

Garlic..we love it~
Always have~
I had read ..heard about too..a Garlic farm just up the road..s a bit..in the town we once lived in for a long lovely time~
A young couple  ..charming young couple,started growing garlic on  a most beautiful spot..
Idyllic, bucolic  setting..I have driven up and down that road for 40 years..
They were not even born..:)
Anyways the garlic has been getting quite the publicity lately as one of our best restos uses only their garlic.. and they have been on the news..
I saw an ad saying their farm would be open to the public Labor Day weekend..the Sat and Sun 8-5..
Saturday around 10.30 I decided to go..(last weekend)~
You can't miss it ..even though the property is a little hidden..the sign said it all.
I love the place.♥.there's an old barn..their pretty home..the cute potting shed you see in the photos..and a view..what a view.
The set up was really cute..and people were in line..
To my surprise all the garlic braids were sold..as of 8 AM people started coming..
She said she was so happy to see all the cars~I told her that every year there would be more and more..
CHARMING young woman and her equally charming partner.
Such a lovely couple..you can tell close to the earth..
I asked for suggestions which he graciously gave..I have some for roasting..some for every day use and some for my next spaguetti sauce~
I asked if I could take a few pics with my point and shoot..
"Of course" they said..
I loved the 2 chairs w/ the bouquet looking over one of their fields.Utterly romantic.

The garlic is prettily packaged..it's beautiful..clean..cared for.
I will definitely return next year for more..
Ad guess what?
They sold it ALL the Saturday!  SOLD OUT..No Sunday..
So glad I went the Saturday:)

Friends of ours grow garlic too ..and it is delicious.
They think we can grow some too..
In the mail was a generous sampling of their glorious big bulbs..with a sweet note.
They garden profusely..she preserves so many things..they live on the water in Ontario..and I think their earth is blessed.
I have now seen photos of their gardens and they are unbelievable.
So come October..we will be planting a few bulbs to see if our soil can do it.

The first thing I made was that pasta we all favor..

Where we marinate chopped tomatoes or halved..with loves of Evoo..loads of basil..garlic..chrushed chili peppers if you wish..salt and pepper..
You can even add rosemary and oregano..whatever you love..capers..etc..
Let that mixture sit in the sun or all day in a nice toasty summer house..
Then simply add your cooked pasta to the bowl..mix..while adding a generous helping of parmesan cheese.
Nothing could be easier.
I never have to add cooking liquid.I have sufficient oil and the juice from the tomatoes to make the sauce.
Adding crushed croutons makes a nice finish~
I originally posted that recipe here..

Just add your cooked hot pasta to the above:)

The next thing I made came from Debbie at Mountain Breaths..So easy..and so good..

Tranches d'aubergine..Italian style~
I could have eaten every disk..but I had to share..as they were dinner..
Even room temp..as they became,they were just as flavorful.
I love little outings..seeing different things..appreciating someone's passion..s.

And my small bed is now ready for my October garlic planting:)
I was ruthless and pulled out a huge hosta..and some blue lilies.. loads of forget me nots and mint..left only the blueberry bush..it will be the anchor there.
Fingers crossed.
It will give me something to anticipate..our own garlic.

Postnote..
Last night..after I hit publish on this post..I persude blogs I go to occasionally..
Interestingly I found Ina had posted about the sauce this summer..If you need a precise recipe..:
Here is lovely Ina.'s version.