Garlic Scapes
I’ve been keeping an eye on my garlic watching for the scapes to appear. It’s amazing how one day you check and there’s nothing, then the next they’re curling out of the middle of the plant. Not all garlic produces scapes, from what I read only the hard neck varieties do, so don’t be worried if yours doesn’t.
I have read that harvesting the scapes will produce larger bulbs, this has been my experience. The first year I grew garlic I harvested some scapes and left some. The bulbs were much larger on the plants I had harvested scapes from. It makes sense as the plant doesn’t expend energy into the production of the flower instead using it to grow a large bulb.
Garlic scapes are quite delicious, they don’t have the assertive garlic flavor of the bulbs so you can eat them as a side dish or use them in other dishes. They’re quite good sauteed or grilled. If you’ve never had them before treat them like you would asparagus. My favorite way to enjoy them is in stir fry. This week it was ginger venison stir fry with those golden peas (I’ll share my recipe next week). I’m thinking this coming week I may make pasta carbonara with garlic scapes.
Do you grow garlic? Do you harvest scapes?
Filed under Edible, garlic | Comments (26)
Yes and yes. I made carbonara with scapes last year. It was YUM.
to kristin @ going country's comment
My garlic scapes are just beginning to appear. I am always very excited to see them! I have used them for garlic scape pesto, in stir-fry, and as a pickle. I enjoy the pickle a lot during the winter. Also, since I only have enough scapes for 2 pints, it is the first thing I pickle each season. Two pints is gentle to re-introduction to canning.
to Nancy M's comment
Pickled scapes – that sounds wonderful. I just planted a HUGE asparagus patch hoping to be able to have enough for pickling. Perhaps I need to plant more garlic this fall!
to Susy's comment
I have about a 10 x 10 plot of hardneck garlic. I harvest the scapes and make pesto with them. Used in this way, they seem stronger flavored than the bulbs but oh so good. Can’t wait for fresh pesto and to freeze some for next winter.
to Jennifer Fisk's comment
I’ll have to try making pesto, we usually eat them all up sauteed before I even think about it.
to Susy's comment
Yes, and no! I’ve never tried this, but certainly will. Thanks for the tip!!
to Jaye Whitney's comment
It’s definitely that time of year! I harvested a bunch last night. I’m going to make pesto with it also. We have a bit of basil ready too, so thought I’d throw some of both in…
to Allison's comment
I grow softneck garlic, so no scapes for me. I’ve always wanted to try them, but you can’t seem to buy them anywhere around here. I’ll check at the farmer’s market this morning.
to Daedre Craig's comment
Around here, scapes just started showing up at Farmer’s Markets and natural food stores in the last 2-3 years. If you don’t see any at the market, ask the veggie vendors if they know where you might be able to get some. One of them may have some but didn’t bring any because they aren’t popular. They have gone from free to $5/lb around here.
to Jennifer Fisk's comment
Also, pickled scapes ARE delicious, and an easier way to preserve them is just to puree them into a paste with some olive oil and freeze it. Then you can either make a pesto with it later by adding the nuts and cheese, of puree some white beans (like cannellini) with the scape puree, lemon juice, and some more olive oil, and you get a DELICIOUS hummus-like dip that is a guaranteed hit at parties.
I love that bean dip. I could eat (and have eaten) it for days.
to kristin @ going country's comment
I do grow hardneck garlic but I’ve never used the scapes.. I’ve never seen or heard of anyone doing it.. but I’ll try now.
I think mine may be too late to use though.. the flowers havent opened, but they’re right there… a day or two away I think…
Although, a southern friend of mine was telling me she was eating an omelet with chives and its flowers… so maybe all is not lost after all. ;)
I’ll definitely remember this for next year..
to KimH's comment
Pick them now and try making the pesto. Worst case scenario it is awful but I’ll bet you’ll have something quite tasty.
to Jennifer Fisk's comment
Yes I grow garlic, I harvest the scales about 2 weeks ago. I add them to eggs, when I’m Making bread, pickle, pesto, add to bake.chicken as on the bottom or inside.
to jane's comment
Garlic scapes are my favourite vegetable. Seriously. Love them. I put them in risotto last summer and it was amazing. We’re still a month or so away from scapes here… your post is making me impatient!
to Andreae's comment
I’m severely wishing I’d planted garlic. I has to be planted in early spring or late fall, right? I’ve never tried the scapes, but now I’m wishing even more I had garlic so I could try it. :) Next year!
to Songbirdtiff's comment
I grow garlic and just recently harvested my soft neck babies for braiding.
to MAYBELLINE's comment
I harvested all of m scapes last week and made pesto. Ate some and froze some. Last year, I didn’t pick them soon enough and they were too tough.
Your right though, all of the sudden they just appear!
to Andrea Duke's comment
I’m really excited because I have garlic in my garden for the first time this year! I planted them in October and the stalks are about two and a half feet tall now. No scapes yet though, but I will have to keep my eyes open for them.
to SixBalloons's comment
No garlic scrapes for me – I have solftneck garlic and it was all harvested a few months ago. I am really like using what I grew. I even braided them this year. Now I just have to find a good place to hang it int he kitchen. Your scrapes look luscious. I might need to look at planted some hardneck garlic for the next harvest. Emily
to Sincerely, Emily's comment
I made pesto with the scapes for the first time this year and it was unbelievably good. Great as a sandwich spread, great on pasta, great on everything! I heard roasting them is also good so am going to try that with the remainder!
to Cathy's comment
Garlic scapes are fantastic – it’s like getting free veg alongside the garlic bulbs! I love them in stir fries and other Asian dishes.
to Julie's comment
[…] to whip up a stir fry. Currently we’re harvesting those golden peas, green onions, kale and garlic scapes, so that’s what I’ve been using as vegetables in my stir fry. I was also lucky enough […]
to Ginger Beef Stir Fry | Eat Outside The Bag's comment
I have a garlic question. I planted a few cloves last fall that were given to me. This spring I was given a TON. I just planted them(last week) but I wasn’t sure how they would do, knowing the should have been planted in the fall. Have you ever planted garlic in the spring? How did it turn out?
to Jodiana's comment
I haven’t planted it in the spring but I know people that plant it in spring instead of fall. Should do quite fine, it will might be ready to harvest later. I’ve toyed with starting some in the spring too to see how it compares for storage purposes and for yield. I have a few bulbs of softneck I may still plant to see.
to Susy's comment
Thanks Susy. I have hard neck and will be getting a few scrapes from what was already planted. I will let you know how the just planted does for me.
to Jodiana's comment
I must have the hardneck kind because I did not get scapes. I saw some scapes at the Farmers market for sale. My garlic leaves are just laying to one side. Is that normal or did they not take?
to Ann's comment