Garlic Scape Soup

Garlic Scape Soup - TheMessyBaker.com

Garlic Scape Soup

I heart garlic scapes - TheMessyBaker

Don’t believe everything you read. When researching how to grow garlic, every source I read said garlic from seed was next to impossible or took years to mature. Bulbs were the way to go. So a year ago, out of curiosity,  I left some scapes on the plants I grew from bulbs. You know, just for fun. Just to see what the flowers would look and smell like. (For what it’s worth, the flowers reek of garlic and are not nearly as pretty as their cousin chives.) Having completed this casual little go-to-seed experiment, I learned two things.

1. Removing the scapes from garlic does indeed produce a bigger crop.

2. Garlic from seed is not only possible, it’s prolific. This is what I ended up with —

My garlic scape  harvest - TheMessyBaker.com

Three pounds of scapes. The cat is there for perspective. This isn’t a small bowl of scapes. This is the biggest bowl in the set and it’s brimming.

Plus he really, really liked the garlic scapes.

Cat investigates garlic scapes - TheMessyBaker.com

He liked them so much, I ended up providing him with a “sacrifice scape” so he would leave mine alone.

He hung out with his half-munched scape while I tried to figure out what to do with the harvest.

Cat hanging out with his garlic scape -TheMessyBaker.com

Unexpected point 3 — Cats and garlic breath don’t make a good combination.

Invasion of the Garlic Scapes

Seems garlic is as bad as zucchini. Last fall, I planted about 50 garlic bulbs. This planned harvest is growing happily in the front rose bed, basking in full sun. Thanks to my laissez-faire experiment, I have close to 200 uncalled for volunteers. And they have elbowed their way into any spot not blanketed in grass.

Despite sprouting in inappropriate locations, I can’t bear to waste good garlic when local garlic is hard to come by. So, I exercised  three pounds’ worth of garlic birth control and then sat on the porch with the cat to think. He suggested eating them as is.

This guy also licks toads, so I ignored his advice and made garlic scape pesto. That used up about 12 whole stalks. Next, I drizzled a bunch with oil, sprinkled them with coarse salt and then grilled them over direct heat as a side dish. That left 2 pounds, so I made a pot of  Garlic Scape Soup. Only one pound to go.

Garlic Scape Soup - TheMessyBaker.com

So I made more soup.

Garlic Scape Soup - TheMessyBaker.com

All gone.

As, I rummaged about in the fridge making space for the soup, I came across another bag of scapes picked a couple of days ago and forgotten about in all the fuss.

I give up. Fetch me the cat.

Print

Garlic Scape Soup

If you are lucky enough to have a lot of garlic scapes, you can make a batch of this simple but satisfying soup. Don’t let the 4 cups of scapes scare you. They are quite mellow by the time the soup is ready.

  • Author: Charmian Christie
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Kitchen Garden

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1lb garlic scapes, cut in 2-inch pieces, flower heads removed (about 4 generous cups)
  • 4 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock for a vegetarian soup)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • generous grindfreshly ground black pepper
  • generous pinch fine sea salt
  • 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 1/4 cup whipping cream (35%)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 12 fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 large lemon, juice and zest

Instructions

  1. Prepare the scapes: Cut the flower heads off the scapes and discard them. Chop the remaining stems into 2-inch pieces. In a saucepan, gently heat the stock over medium while you cook the scapes.
  2. Cook the scapes: Heat the oil in a large, heavy sauce pan over medium and cook the scapes for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often, or until they soften. The timing will vary depending on how thick the scapes are. Add the salt, pepper and chili flakes and cook for a minute or two.
  3. Simmer the stock: Pour the hot stock over the scapes and cook with the lid askew, for 15 to 20 minutes or until the scapes are fully cooked and losing their bright green colour but have not turned dead-broccoli grey.
  4. Purée the soup: Working in batches, purée the soup until smooth. You need to use a standard blender since an immersion blender won’t get the scapes smooth enough. Scapes can be a bit pulpy, so purée the soup well. Season to taste with more salt and pepper if needed. Keep the soup warm over low heat until you’re ready to serve.
  5. Add the finishing touches: Just before serving, stir in the cream, Parmesan, basil, lemon juice and zest.

Notes

This soup was inspired by Zuppa di Zuccine by Heidi Noble in her award-winning cookbook, Menus from an Orchard Table. (Whitecap ©2007).

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19 Comments
  • Patricia
    Posted at 17:01h, 24 June

    Great recipe!
    On a very hot day, I made a similar soup yesterday in the slow cooker. I like the idea of adding some cream at the finish!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 01:09h, 25 June

    Slow cookers are great for soup. I hadn’t thought of that for this recipe. They’re perfect for hot weather. My kitchen heats up in a flash. Must pull out that appliance more often!

  • A Canadian Foodie
    Posted at 14:28h, 25 June

    YUM – I am a soup fiend. Scapes are not up here, yet, either – I am really getting a sense of garden timing East vs West from your site!
    🙂
    V

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 14:36h, 25 June

    Thanks, Vanessa. I only learned about scapes because I started to grow my own garlic. I couldn’t cope with the spongy grocery store version shipped in from Asia. If you have a scrap of land in full sun, I recommend trying to grow your own. It’s dead easy.

    You’re welcome here anytime. I’ve got lots of frozen treats coming up! All homemade.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 14:42h, 25 June

    Two peas in a pod, aren’t we? I’m a soup fiend, too. And an ice cream addict, which I believe you confessed recently 🙂

    Interesting how the gardens find their own timing. So many factors play a role in what grows where and when. It’s always fascinating. Nature is a wonder. Have fun in your garden!

  • Vanessa
    Posted at 14:28h, 25 June

    Charmian!
    This looks so delicious! I am now going to be on the hunt for garlic scapes (just learned this word, thank you).
    Everything you have posted in the last few weeks has made me want to move in with you, oh how I envy Andrew!

  • Kirsten
    Posted at 08:37h, 12 May

    Charmian,
    Thank you for sharing this recipe with me for my Garlic Scape Recipe Round Up! It’s now live, and I’m so inspired I cannot wait for my scapes to appear. You can see the round up here: http://www.farmfreshfeasts.com/2014/05/28-recipes-using-garlic-scapes-recipe.html or Pin it for later: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/316659417522383833/
    Thanks!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:44h, 12 May

    Thanks for including me in such a fun round-up! I can’t wait for my scapes to appear and give these amazing ideas a try.

  • Tip
    Posted at 00:12h, 21 June

    This recipe looks great (and I plan on trying it this weekend), but I cringed a little inside. Garlic and onions are poisonous to cats. In small amounts it won’t cause any real damage, but too much of it can break down cats’ red blood cells. I’d hate to see such a beautiful kitty get hurt 🙁

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:41h, 21 June

    I had no idea that garlic and onions are poisonous to cats. Thanks so much for this information. Don’t cringe too much. The cat’s fine and he only nibbled the green leaves. He likes chomping on greenery and seemed happy just hanging out with the garlic. He didn’t try to eat the bulb. I will, however, be more careful in future! The frustrating part is I bought him oat grass to eat since he loves the garden plants and he won’t touch it! Only the off-limits greens.

    Thanks again and I hope you and the humans in your life enjoy the soup.

  • Lorraine
    Posted at 10:25h, 28 June

    Have been enjoying scapes forever. Canadian people of European descent enjoy many recipes with scapes. They are available in a number of flea markets here in Ontario

  • Dwight Storring
    Posted at 17:05h, 28 June

    Hey Charmisn:
    Was delighted when I searched for garlic scape soup your recipe came to the top.
    Giving it a try tonight.
    Hope you don’t mind if I take some liberties 🙂
    D

  • Kira
    Posted at 16:40h, 09 July

    The lemon made a world of difference. I initially had forgotten about it in my first sampling, then when I added it, the soup became a big hit and even my husband, who is fussy, loved it. Finely chop the basil before sprinkling on top.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 14:33h, 08 September

    Soup demands the maker take liberties. Thanks so much for dropping me a note. Hope the soup went well!

  • Obosan
    Posted at 14:44h, 05 July

    Those “seeds” are actually Bulbils, They are a clone of the plant similar to the clove in a bulb, If you want garlic to produce a seed you have to hand pick all the bulbils to divert energy into the flowers, then the flowers have to be pollinated. Then garlic seed can be produced by the plant. Finding seed on a scape is Extremely rare and can take years of diligence in scape maintenance to produce viable seeds. Bulbils take Two to Three years to produce a decent size garlic bulb, Seeds I cant verify as my own garlic seed experiments have not fared well.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:55h, 06 July

    Thanks for the information. My bulbils produced a *lot* of small garic plants (about 200!) and I’m now very diligent about snapping off the scapes. The rogue garlic plants were threatening to take over my garden. Sorry your garlic seed experiments didn’t go well. No matter how you grow your garlic, I hope your harvest is bountiful.

  • Barb Butler
    Posted at 19:46h, 15 May

    Could you use garlic chives instead and if so how much, since they are very mild?

  • Belinda Mackenzie
    Posted at 15:41h, 24 June

    What a great way to use garlic scapes!
    Love the flavours, I added half an onion and sautéed a minute or so and then added the scapes. The lemon makes it taste so fresh.
    Made a double batch today, and still have enough for one more batch.
    Thankyou for sharing. ❤️

  • Deborah Plett
    Posted at 17:50h, 27 July

    Thanks for the recipe, I have wild garlic in my yard so I’m going to try this tonight.

    Please be cautious with the kitty. Garlic is toxic to them if they eat it consistently or in a high enough dose.

    “Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks are in the Allium family, and are poisonous to both dogs and cats if the dose is right (if they eat a single large serving or repeatedly nibble on small amounts over time). Garlic is considered to be about five times as toxic as onions for cats and dogs.”