Hardneck garlic is the garden crop that keep giving. About a month before you pull the bulbs you get a lovely, loopy treat called a garlic scape.
If you grow your own garlic you’ll be drowning them, if not you’ll have to check out a farmers market or a farm stand in the late spring time.
Each hardneck garlic plant produces one scape, if left to their own devices they’ll turn into a pretty flower. But since we’re all looking for nice, fat cloves of garlic they get the snip.
You can break them off with your hands (they snap pretty easily) or cut with scissors or clippers. Once you get them into the house the real magic happens.
Garlic Scape Recipes
Garlic scapes are a seasonal delight that almost as versatile as garlic itself. They have a short season and there's no reason not to eat them as many ways as possible while they're available.
Garlic scape pesto is probably the most popular way to eat the garlicky spirals, this basic pesto recipe is a great place to get started with scapes on the dinner table
It's hard to imagine an easier way to enjoy the flavor of garlic scapes than infused in olive oil.
Pickles are a great way to dip your toe into the world of water bath canning. This early season pickle with help you brush up on your skills before the major summer canning marathon kicks off
A bit fancier than your basic pesto, this recipe brings in another spring favorite for more green color and flavor.
Who doesn't love a good biscuit? This made-from-scratch recipe brings in cheddar and fresh garlic scapes for flavor along with a bunch of helpful tips for making the perfect biscuit
How to Make an Easy Summer Quiche Recipe with Scapes
The chickens are still in high egg making mode when garlic scapes make their appearance, this quiche is a perfect way to enjoy them together
Another happy marriage of garlic scapes and eggs, this easy pasta recipe includes bacon and cheese so you know it's going to be good!
Pan Browned Polenta with Sauteed Braising Greens and Garlic Scapes
This recipe will have you aching to hit up a farmers market. Simple, seasonal ingredients that you probably won't find in the grocery store make up a delicious gourmet dinner
Check out my Vegetable Gardening page for more information or start here:
