Making Good Use of the Invasive Garlic Mustard Plant

It is likely you have this invasive plant growing behind your garage, in your back woods, or other forgotten areas of your property. This plant grows fast and spreads each year, threatening to take over entire areas. The problem with invasive plants like Garlic Mustard is that they do not allow other plants to survive and eliminate the essential biodiversity in nature. But... if life gives you Garlic Mustard, why not make pesto?

The Western Reserve Land Conservancy agrees that the great flavor found is Garlic Mustard is the silver lining to this regional issue. On Thursday, April 11th, from 6-8:30pm at the Miller Nature Preserve in Lake Metroparks, The Western Reserve Land Conservancy is giving a workshop on different techniques to use when cooking with this plant.

Here is the description off their site:

"In the name of charity, Chef Mario G. Izzo is preparing to turn an unwanted plant into culinary delights for the tastebuds of those attending a Pest (o) Soiree at the Lorain County Metro Parks Miller Nature Preserve in Avon.

Izzo, an acclaimed local chef, will be preparing hors d’oeuvres and made-to-order items with garlic mustard at the first Pest (O) Soiree, a dinner benefitting the nonprofit Western Reserve Land Conservancy. Garlic mustard is an invasive plant that is removed from forests here each spring because it poses a severe threat to native wildflowers and animals.

In addition to Izzo’s creations, there will be pasta with a garlic mustard pesto prepared by culinary students from the Lorain County Joint Vocational School in Oberlin and an olive oil tasting station, courtesy of The Olive Scene in Rocky River.

All proceeds benefit the Land Conservancy, which works to preserve natural areas, farmland and coastal land in a15-county region in northern Ohio.