Garlic scapes, sometimes called green garlic, are a foodie favorite, and for good reason. They have that familiar garlic flavor, but with a little more complexity, and without the in-your-face heat. They’re fresh, easy to prepare, and nutritious, too. Enjoy them grilled or sautéed as a simple side dish, blended into garlic scape pesto, baked in quiches, or anytime you want a little hit of garlicky green flavor. They can be eaten raw or cooked and used in all sorts of different recipes like salads, dressings, pesto, or compounded into butter. When cooked, they have a sweet taste and more tenderness, similar to roasted garlic.
What to look for when buying garlic scapes
Green garlic scapes can be woody, so before you buy them, take a look to see how fresh they are. They should be bright green from the bottom of the stem to the bud and look freshly harvested. If the ones you’re using have any dried-out, fibrous parts near the bottom of the stem and near the flower bud, be sure to trim those off before using. When they spiral and the bud emerges, they’re ready to be harvested. Simply cut the scape at its base where it comes out of the stalk. Later in the summer, your garlic bulb will be ready and you’ll get two harvests from the same plant!
How to cook garlic scapes
You can use garlic scapes anytime you would normally use garlic or onions, but want a milder garlic flavor. Just be sure to trim off the fibrous end and the bud before cooking as those parts are inedible. The simplest way to prepare garlic scapes is to sauté them with olive oil or butter, salt, and pepper. They also taste amazing on the grill where they soften and take on a light char. You can either keep them long and serve them as a simple side like you would green beans, or chop them into small pieces and serve them on salads, toss them into stir-fries, soups, or any other ways you can think of!
How to store garlic scapes
Garlic scapes are hardy and keep well in the fridge or freezer. To store them in your refrigerator, wrap them in a damp paper towel in a silicone storage bag. They’ll keep well for at least a few weeks. We like to buy extra when they’re in season, freeze them, and use them all winter long. They add amazing garlicky flavor to stews, soups, and meat dishes. To freeze garlic scapes, simply lay them out on a baking sheet in the freezer, then store them in a silicone storage bag until you’re ready to use them.
