Garlic Scape Season
Garlic Scape Season
You may have heard about garlic scapes and their alluring flavor and uncommonly unique taste. Garlic scapes are a vegetable, an aromatic, and also an herb all in one. They are the tender stem and flower buds of a garlic plant and grow straight up from a garlic bulb and then curl a bit by… Read More »
You may have heard about garlic scapes and their alluring flavor and uncommonly unique taste. Garlic scapes are a vegetable, an aromatic, and also an herb all in one. They are the tender stem and flower buds of a garlic plant and grow straight up from a garlic bulb and then curl a bit by the time of harvest. Scapes are harvested in late Spring and early Summer in this hardiness climate zone in Chester NJ. Garlic is one of the few plants that has two harvests and harvesting scapes is important to the garlic bulb to ensure that the energy remains in the bulb producing a larger and more flavorful bulb.
Scapes have a unique taste that some say are similar to onions, scallions and of course garlic. We find that they have a very farm fresh and aromatic taste that can easily be adapted into recipes. We often substitute garlic scapes in recipes that may call for garlic or scallions this time of year for a fresh way to liven up a dish for the season. Scapes are easy to prepare and store and we recommend preserving some of these for enjoyment later in the year. You may dehydrate, pickle or ferment, make vinegar or infused olive oil, or wash chop and freeze in a plastic bag for up to six months. For short term storage, plan to wash the scapes and wrap in a paper towel covered in a plastic bag and place in your fridge for up to two weeks.
If eating raw we suggest steaming them first to soften the exterior and make them more palatable. The most popular use of scapes we have found is to make them into a pesto alternative. This time of year calls for many outdoor picnics for graduations, confirmations and the like. Our Culinary & Educational Specialist, Miss Jenn, has specially crafted this delicious Potato Salad recipe for those backyard celebrations or for an easy weeknight supper. Try making this Garlic Scape Italian Potato Salad recipe today! Or you might enjoy this Mediterranean garlic scape pasta dish. Get Miss Jenn’s recipe here.
Miss Jenn has this to say about scapes. “I am always amazed that for years we probably discarded the scapes and not used them for their
culinary brilliance. They do have a rich history in Europe, Asia, Greece, however, here in the West we had never really harvested it until relatively recently. Just like broccoli leaves and radish carrot and beet tops. They were once forgotten and now are so valued for their delicacy and nutritional value. That is why you want to be connected to a Farm Market. Garlic scapes is one of those things that will never make it to the supermarkets and is so great for even those that don’t love garlic, it has such a mild flavor. When garlic scape season arrived I would always make pesto. Add a little butter and cream and it is the only recipe where I would buy bucatini, the spaghetti with the hole. A little awkward to eat but so delicious and for some reason the pairing was just perfect for me.”
Best wishes from our farm kitchen to yours! XO
