'Scarole and Beans

This One's From Mom

Mar 03, 2024

Hello Love,

So, it’s been raining here in Santa Barbara, and I’m here to share a warming recipe.

We’ve been packing as we’re moving soon/again (excitedly, to a sweet old ranch house on a coastal avocado farm nearby—more on that in an upcoming post), and as I load up the U-Haul boxes, my progress stalled as I’m swept up in memories, missing my mom, who left her earthly body and danced her way to the realm beyond last April.

The smiling face of a peaced-out, well-fed young Italian-American: with my Mom Rita (a.k.a. Freda) at my childhood home in Pennsauken, NJ

AND. And. And. Amid everything, one year out from losing mom, there is still more to process, hence, my desire for a bowl of ‘scarole and beans in some attempt/approximation of her care and love.

But before I get to that goodness, look at this Mama-I-Love-You memory bomb:

I was sorting the junk drawer when I found it. I’d almost forgotten I’d taken this Sucrets tin, one of her many sewing and notion kits, to keep.

More than her fantastic jewelry or clothes or keepsakes and other reminders of Mom, the Sucrets tin is alive with her: the one who mended things (and also the one who administered the Sucrets to soothe our sore throats).

This little box opened up all the feelings.

I bet you’ve experienced something like this. Unexpected emotion and life held in the seemingly mundane, only not mundane at all, because someone you love made it so. Someone you love who isn’t around anymore. This is theirs.

Hers.

‘Scarole and Beans

So, back to the reason why I’m writing today. To share a recipe to deepen the experience of being here (our Here Today mission, after all).

If I were to ask my back-then mama, “Freda, what recipe should I share on the anniversary of your passing?” she might say, Give them the ‘Scarole and Beans; it’s so easy.

And if I were to ask her in her later years, after dementia had set in, she might have added, in her silly and salty tone, even a jackass could make it.

My mom always knew what a warm bowl of love, some crusty bread, and a stingingly fun comment could do. She made something so worthy. That’s what I’d like to share with you: some of the flavor and sustenance she gave to me.

‘Scarole and Beans were a staple of my Italian-American Jersey upbringing. My cousin Jill and I used to joke that it would also make a fun name for a radio show (we’d be the Scarole, and Jill’s old friend Craig would be the Beans - as Beans is his nickname). It was an excellent imaginary show named after an authentic dish we love making (and name-saying).

Ok, it really is so easy. And SO GOOD. You can make it with what you have on hand. Pantry items + greens that keep. Perfect for a rainy day lunch (though now the sun is out here, go figure) or a dinner when you think you have nothing in the house to make.

‘Scarole and Beans

BASIC INGREDIENTS: GREENS, GARLIC, LEMON, BEANS, BROTH, PARMA
OPTIONAL: ANCHOVY, PANCETTA, SAUSAGE, RED PEPPER FLAKES

The Greens

I am sharing this pic from last year because Mom would love this silliness—John and I procuring the most enormous, gorgeous heads of escarole at the farmer’s market.

While you need the ‘Scarole for true ‘Scarole and Beans, you can also use any other hearty green—broccoli rabe is especially tasty. I suppose you could also use kale (but l can’t see Mom condoning kale… I think she may have despised it. I wish she were around to ask).

The Beans

Cannellini beans it is — you could soak dry beans and cook first with garlic and aromatic herbs like thyme or rosemary, or use canned (which can be more tender, IMHO).

The Saute

Chop some garlic and saute it in olive oil with lemons and anchovies (if you like, or pancetta is nice and flavorful also). Red pepper flakes may be sprinkled here if you want some heat.

Then, rip the lovely escarole into pieces and add it to the pot. Saute!

Once the greens are wilted, add the chicken or vegetable broth and the beans.

(I’m including pics below of the homemade veggie broth I made last year from the frozen scraps I saved… which I rarely have time to do… but Mom would be proud, so I'm adding it in here for her :) )