a love letter to scarola (escarole)

f*ck the tomatoes - I'll take the 'scarole

Where would I be without you Escarole? You’re childhood. You’re my history. You - Escarole - are cash money.

….To Jersey Italian Americans, that is. It’s what Americans call ‘cheddar’ (a term I’ve never adopted myself). Escarole was either that sexy leafy green or even sexier cash money.

I can say confidently I wouldn’t be who I am today without escarole. While I am sure this vitamin-rich veggie contributed to my height, its history defines my family lineage from Lazio to New Jersey.

Frankly, escarole is the green that bridges Italian and Jersey Italian American culture…and yes I mean that in both the veggie and cash money sense, again.

*I am actively resisting making a ‘mo scarol’ mo problems’ reference.*

A thank you to Papà Cece

My mom would only let my dad cook one thing in her kitchen (when she was home, that is), and it was ‘scarol (which is the Italian American pronunciation. It’s more formally scarola in Italian or escarole in English).

My mother had 0 patience for the rigorous cleaning and rinsing escarole required. My father - detail-oriented and exceptionally eye-hand coordinated - cleaned these greens with ease. So, thanks Dad for letting me enjoy escarole without breaking my teeth.

Drunkards, this green is for you

Yes, we’re going back to Roman times…again.