Garlic Scapes

Garlic Scapes Recipes

 

Availability: July

Storage tips: Garlic scapes should be stored in a plastic bag in your refrigerator. They should last at least a week (and up to 2-3 weeks) kept in this manner.

How to eat: Garlic scapes are the green flower stalks that the garlic plants send up in late June through early July. We pick them off to help the plant concentrate its energy on making a large garlic bulb for the fall. The whole garlic scape is edible and tastes just like garlic and can be used like garlic. Its especially great minced up in stir-fries.  It is a little bit tougher than regular garlic so needs to be minced up very well or cooked through.

How to preserve:  Chop up your garlic scapes and throw them in a plastic ziplock bag.  Freeze.  Can use the frozen garlic scapes in stir-fries, soups, or anything else!  They freeze very well.

Blistered Garlic Scapes
  • ¼ pound garlic scapes, chopped into 3” pieces
  • 2 TBLS cooking oil
  • ¼ - ½ tsp salt

Heat oil on medium in skillet. Add garlic scapes and salt. Stir to coat. Let scapes sit undisturbed 4-5 min until blisters develop. You want the oil to be just below smoking. Remove from heat. Stir around and leave in pan a couple minutes to crisp the rest of the way.

Garlic Scape Hummus

Here's a basic recipe for hummus that I like.  I usually just put things in without measuring exactly and then taste to see what we need more of, as is reflected in the below recipe.  Feel free to add or subtract based on your personal taste.  Use the finished product as a dip for raw veggies or spread on bread!

4-6 garlic scapes (more if you like), chopped
1 can of chick peas, rinsed
2-4+ tablespoons lemon juice (to taste)
olive oil
1 teaspoon tahini (or to taste)
ground cumin to taste
cayenne pepper (optional)
salt

Combine ingredients into food processor and process until smooth.  Taste and add more of anything you think you need.  Store in the refrigerator and use up within a week.

Garlic Scape Pesto

Great on pasta, spread on French bread, or with chicken or fish.  It freezes well so make a nice sized batch of this seasonal treat!!

9-10 garlic scapes
1/2 cup slivered almonds (or other nuts)
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grated parmesan
salt and pepper to taste

Discard the knobby seed pot and tail from garlic scapes and coarsely chop.  Put scapes and almonds into food processor.  Blend until smooth paste.  Add olive oil slowly while running the food processor.  Then add parmesan, salt and pepper.  Blend to incorporate.  Serve fresh or refrigerate or freeze.

Kathy's Garlic Scape Pesto

Kathy says, "This stuff is great right out of the mixer - but even better with veggies, chips, bread, pizza, salad, avocado, etc. Freeze into small portions for use later in the year!"  Yum!

  • 1 cup garlic scapes, cut into 1" pieces
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Sea salt and pepper, to taste

 

  1. In a food processor, process the garlic scapes and basil for 30 seconds. If you are doubling the recipe, pause the process to scrape down the bowl if needed.
  2. Add the nuts and process for another 30 seconds. Again, if doubling, scrape the bowl as needed.
  3. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil as you continue to run the food processor. (Hint: pour the oil into the cup with the small hole in the bottom, as if you were making mayonnaise.)
  4. Add the parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Mix and taste, adding the salt and pepper as desired.
Quick Pickled Garlic Scapes
  • Garlic scapes to fill a quart jar, cut to whatever length you want to eat them at
  • 1 cup each water and white vinegar
  • 2 tsp each salt and sugar
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns, lightly crushed

In small saucepan heat water, vinegar, salt, and sugar to a boil. Stir to dissolve, remove from heat, and add scapes and peppercorns. Pour this over garlic scapes packed into a quart canning jar. Cool, cover, and refrigerate. 

Robert's Garlic Scape Spread
From Robert Segerson, Assistant Farm Manager.  His favorite way to use garlic scapes!
 
  • 1/2 cup garlic scapes, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • salt and pepper to taste

Mix in blender or food processor. I find that garlic scapes are a bit hard when raw, so I always mix thoroughly.

Scrambled Eggs with Garlic Scapes

Wow and yum!  This is so easy but really changes plain scrambled eggs for the better!  Try it!

  • butter or cooking oil
  • 1 garlic scape, minced (or to taste)
  • 6 eggs
  • dash of milk
  • salt and pepper
  • grated cheese (optional)

Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.  Heat butter on medium in skillet.  Add garlic scape and saute briefly, stirring, about 30 seconds.  Add eggs and scramble until just about cooked.  Add optional cheese and mix in to get it melty.  Serve hot with salsa.