If you planted a hardneck variety of garlic last fall or late winter, you might have noticed the tops are starting to get curly. These curvy tops are known as scapes. When scapes form, the garlic bulbs begin to create their flowering heads. Softneck varieties do not have scapes, and their stalk stays soft. Garlic scapes are sought after by professional and home chefs alike because they are delicious and only available for such a short time period. Scapes are usually harvested in late spring or early summer before the garlic bulbs are fully mature.
When to Harvest
Whether or not you intend to use the scapes in your kitchen, removing them from the garlic bulb is a good idea to promote the energy into growing larger bulbs. Snip scapes just as they are starting to form a half-circle. Using scissors, snip the stalk without removing any of the leaves. You can harvest when they are a full circle shape, too, as long as they are tender. If you wait too long, the scapes will become tough, woody, and undesirable. Scapes can be used right away or stored in the refrigerator. They are stored best in the vegetable crisper drawer or in a wet paper towel. You can also chop the scapes and freeze them for later use for up to one year.
What to Do With Garlic Scapes
Of course, garlic scapes have a garlicky flavor, but it’s not as strong as a clove of garlic, so they are great to use in all kinds of ways. They have a chive or green onion-like flavor that goes well with a lot of different foods.
- Chop raw scapes and sprinkle them over finished dishes or salads to add fresh garden garlic flavor.
- Saute scapes in butter for a delectable side dish, or add them to stir-fries.
- Chop up and freeze little pieces you can add to soups all year.
- Add chopped-up scapes to biscuit dough for garlicky- biscuits.
- Make a pesto for bread or pasta.
- You can dry garlic scapes and powder them up for a tasty seasoning.
Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe
Ingredients:
1 Cup of chopped garlic scapes
½ Cup of pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts, or other nuts of your choice
½ Cup of Olive oil or more if desired
½ Cup of shredded Parmesan or Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
1/2- 1 Tsp of salt
Squeeze of lemon juice, if desired
Whirl all ingredients in a food processor until desired consistency. Feel free to add or subtract ingredients to customize. Store in the fridge for a few days.
How to Use Pesto:
Pasta
Grilled Cheese dip
Spread on sourdough bread
Pizza sauce
As a dip for crackers
More Reasons to Harvest Scapes
- Since you can only harvest scapes once a year, they are seen as a rare treat. You can sell them at your farmer’s markets or local restaurants to earn extra money if you have a hobby farm.
- Like garlic bulbs, scapes have high levels of antioxidants and may support heart or immune system health.
- If you’re into making floral arrangements and don’t want to eat the scapes, put them in a vase with water and watch them bloom into an interesting bouquet. You can also store the scapes this way for a couple of days until you are ready to use them in the kitchen.
Garlic scape season is short, so if you’ve got some hard-neck garlic growing in the garden, check to see if you have some scapes and consider trying them in your kitchen this year. Learn more about growing garlic in the Planter App.