Garlic scapes are the early form of the flowering top of any hard neck variety garlic. If left on the plant, it eventually forms into a small “seed” form of garlic, that looks exactly like a little garlic (see above). Harvesting the scapes early allows the plant to send the energy it would be using for the top, back into the root. There is only a small window for scapes, each year around the end of May. Garlic scapes have a nice crunch, with a slightly milder garlic flavor.
Ideas for using fresh garlic scapes:
•Slice and add scapes to any stir fry recipe
•Add scapes to soup stock for a little fresh garlic flavor
•Chop scapes and add them to softened cream cheese for a tasty spread
•Chop scapes and add to sour cream to make dip
•Scapes are a great additions to salads
•Use scapes in any recipe just as you would use green onions
•Chop scapes and sprinkle over cottage cheese
•Add chopped scapes to bruschetta, guacamole, or salsa
•Add scapes as a topping to pizzas
•Chop and add scapes to sauce recipes
•Chop scapes and sprinkle them over pasta
•Batter fried scapes are quite tasty
•Sauté chopped scapes about 5 minutes in olive oil and add to mashed potatoes
•Chop scapes and sprinkle over baked potatoes
•Add scapes to spinach pesto recipes
•blend scapes into your favorite vinaigrette recipe, for color and flavor
•Toss them in olive oil, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper and lightly grill
•Freeze or dehydrate them for later use - blanch them before freezing them
•pickle them
Garlic Scape Pesto
Chicken with Garlic Scapes & Capers
Roasted Garlic Scapes
Garlic Scape Pesto
1/2 lb chopped garlic scapes
1 cup olive oil
2 cups grated parmesan
I also like to add either pine nuts or walnuts to this mixture to taste.
Puree scapes and olive oil (and nuts if you desire) until smooth in food processor or blender, then add parmesan. Serve over pasta or use as you would any other pesto. Pesto can also be frozen for later use.
Chicken With Garlic Scapes & Capers
2 whole skinless boneless chicken breasts, halved
2 Tbsp. Unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
4 Tbsp. dry white wine
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
4 chopped garlic scapes
1 Tbsp. drained capers
Between sheets of plastic wrap slightly flatten chicken. In a large heavy skillet heat 1Tbsp. of butter and the oil over medium high heat. Saute until cooked through. Season with salt & pepper. Transfer chicken to a platter and keep warm. Pour off fat from skillet and add the remaining butter, the wine, lemon juice, scapes and bring mixture to a boil. Stir in capers and salt & pepper to taste. Spoon sauce over chicken. Serves 4.
Roasted Garlic Scapes
Take the scapes and put them in a lightly oiled roasting pan, top with salt (kosher or seas salt works best but any will do). Put the loaded and covered pan in a hot (425 °F) oven for 30 to 45 minutes or until they are beginning to turn brown. serve as a side or main dish. Tastes like roasted garlic but creamier.
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