Garlic Scapes — Ideas Needed

Garlic Scapes — Ideas Needed

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This pointy, off-white thingy is a garlic scape. Left to its own devices, it will flower. Once removed, it forces the bulb to grow bigger and drives chefs mad. Apparently, these puppies are a hot commodity.

I had no idea what a scape was when I planted garlic near my climbing rose a couple of years ago. I didn’t plan on harvesting the garlic. I just wanted to see if roses really do love garlic like all the companion planting books tell me.

For ten years the rose bush made half-hearted attempts at a display. A few blooms, a few inches of growth, but nothing spectacular. The year after I planted a few garlic bulbs at its base, the former reluctant climber sprung to life. Perhaps it was the loss of the two giant maples that shaded the yard? Perhaps it was the abundant rain? Or maybe it was the garlic? I’m not sure, but right now I’ve got some lovely red climbing roses, a handful of scapes and no clue what to do with them beyond pesto.

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According to all my research scapes are true garlic puppies. They have all the characteristics of fully mature garlic but lack the bite. Normally I experiment with a new ingredient, but I don’t have much to play with — eight scapes to be precise. See, this is the whole shebang.

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So, what do you do with them? Chop them up? Saute them? Eat them raw? If you’ve got scape solutions, I’m listening!

No Comments
  • Katerina
    Posted at 12:45h, 06 July

    Pesto is very popular and I have had good success with that. The other day I added them to some sauteed zucchini cooked them for a few minutes. Simple but delicious.

  • Monica
    Posted at 12:53h, 06 July

    Okay.. so I read that as scrapes and gave you an idea for left over scraps of garlic pods. LOL. Sorry

  • Christie's Corner
    Posted at 13:09h, 06 July

    Katerina, I've got pesto on my list of possibilities! Good to know you've tried it and liked it. Love the idea of sauteing them with zucchini.

    Monica, I've misread things many times. Just the other day I read "conversation" when the comment was about "conservation". Doh! But I liked your spicy butter idea anyway.

  • Kim U
    Posted at 14:22h, 06 July

    I've used garlic scapes a ton of different ways. I like them chopped up & added to salads (in moderation). They're great roasted & added to hummus. This year I tried it as pesto (using this recipe: http://www.whatgeekseat.com/wordpress/2007/06/16/garlic-scape-pesto/) & *loved* it on everything.

  • Lisa Michelle
    Posted at 16:28h, 06 July

    I just read a blog entry where someone made garlic scape pesto. Dang, I'll look for it, as it was a gorgeous emerald green and supposedly VERY delicious!

  • Marta
    Posted at 16:29h, 06 July

    OK, I've never had garlic scape, but it's it just a mild galricky flavours… uhm why don't you make some pesto with it?! I mean let it truly be the star of the pesto, maybe throw in a tiny bit of basil, really good olive oil and, well, I wouldn't even bother with the nuts. Just let the cape shine!

  • Elra
    Posted at 16:34h, 06 July

    I see so many people post about this garlic scapes. I am totally in love with the beauty of it, unfortunately never grew it in my yard. Maybe I start planning to do that. Yours is absolutely stunning.

  • BMK
    Posted at 17:19h, 06 July

    Incorporate into hummus.

  • danamccauley
    Posted at 20:14h, 06 July

    So, pretty! I've made pickled garlic scapes and they were yummy. They can also be cut into lengths and stir-fried with chicken, shirmp, scallops of halibut chunks.

  • Cakebrain
    Posted at 23:49h, 06 July

    Ooh! Garlic scapes are on the cutting edge in the foodie world! I've seen them at the local markets and they look yummy! Gorgeous pic!

  • Nina Timm
    Posted at 00:32h, 07 July

    These scapes are just too beautiful!!! I think I shall have to plant some soon!!!

  • Rene Rencontre
    Posted at 04:20h, 07 July

    I love garlic, i am so surprised when somebody tell me that he didn't like it :)) i can use it everywhere because i like spice food :)) the scrapes you can use it for beef or pork meals it's gonna be so delicious :))

  • Divawrites
    Posted at 08:40h, 07 July

    Wave them at very small vampires…

  • Barb
    Posted at 21:10h, 07 July

    If you're already grilling: Chop 'em into pieces about 1" long, toss 'em with olive oil, salt, & pepper, wrap 'em in foil, and grill them about 10 minutes. Very little effort for a lot of taste!

  • Christie's Corner
    Posted at 12:56h, 10 July

    Barb, great idea. I'll keep this in mind for next year when I have a bounty of scapes. Care to guess who'll be planting garlic this fall?

    Moi.