Garlic Scapes
A few weeks ago my garlic started sending up scapes. These are the flowering portion of the plants. They are very interesting the way they twist and turn.
You can cut them when they’re young and eat them. They’re quite delicious with a very mild garlic flavor. I’ve heard that if you cut them, the bulbs of your garlic will be larger. If you don’t cut them the bulbs will be smaller, but they will keep longer. I’m going to cut a few and leave a few on, to test out the theory.
We’ll be enjoying our garlic scapes in some eggs and probably mixed with some sauteed veggies atop some rice or couscous. You just can beat that mild garlicky flavor!
Have you ever eating garlic scapes?
Filed under Edible | Comments (13)
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But of course. I had never heard that leaving them on makes the bulbs last longer. I always remove the scapes and we’ve never had a problem with keeping the bulbs. In fact, I’m still using last year’s garlic, and this year’s will be ready to harvest in a few weeks I think.
to kristin's comment
I’m embarrassed to say, I’ve never cooked garlic scapes. I really have no excuse. Thanks for the nudge.
Julia´s last blog ..Random Apps of Kindness (and GIVEAWAY!)
to Julia's comment
Just harvested ours last night too! Had them in a stir fry. I never know how much of the stem you are supposed to eat, anybody know? I just guess and try to keep the the most tender parts.
Will make some scape pesto to freeze this year (really good on pizza!).
We also like to add them to cut flower arrangements this time of year. They last a long time and add some dramatic interest :)
to s's comment
I just use whatever part is tender. I think the earlier you cut them the more you can use. I’m harvesting mine a little late. I plan on leaving a few on to see what they do and to have a few tiny garlic bulbs.
to Susy's comment
We planted about 400 bulbs last fall. We are hoping to keep replanting the cloves and have enough garlic to take to festivals and sell at our little road side stand. Our scapes have started to curl and we weren’t sure whether to cut them or leave them. An organic farmer friend says to cut them and plant them. the first year you will get a scallion variety and the second year you will have more garlic. Like Susy, we are going to leave some, cut some and plant the rest and see what happens.
to Scott's comment
Scape pesto sounds great!
I use the scapes in almost everything, so much so that my wife sometimes accuses me of “poisoning” her. LOL
She can’t tolerate as much garlic and/or scapes as I can, so I tone down the amount I use in recipes.
I just looked at Julia’s blog and made it one of my favorites. Is she a FGer?
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to Garlic Man's comment
I did not even know what they were until I read your post…..I am sure that does not surprise you ;)
Kelly Butler´s last blog ..
to Kelly Butler's comment
I never knew. Thanks!
Teri´s last blog ..173/365
to Teri's comment
I didn’t harvest any scapes this year but I wish I had. Now they are old and double curled so I am just leaving them on. I hope my garlic is ready for harvest soon as a need to plant my leeks. I have seen a few bloggers have harvested already.
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to Dan's comment
I’d definitely be interested in hearing about your experiment. We’ve had garlic scapes before, but didn’t end up caring for them.
to Pampered Mom's comment
I made a garlic scape pesto and froze it in an ice cube tray, and then put all the little cubes in a ziplock. My plan is to stir it into beans and soups and whatever else I can come up with, in the winter.
pam´s last blog ..Garden Tuesday – Busy, Busy, Busy
to pam's comment
That’s a great idea! I do that with basil & other herbs.
to Susy's comment
I LOVE garlic scapes and have been eating them almost every day in some way/some dish this spring. My garlic started scaping, and while it seemed odd at first, it really is tasty. I’ll toss it with any veg I’m cooking, add it to salads, even lightly roast it in foil with other veg.
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to Mangochild's comment