Preserving Garlic Scapes

Garlic scapes only show up for a short window each year, but that doesn’t mean you have to go without once the season ends. With a few simple steps, you can store or freeze them and enjoy their mild garlic flavor anytime. You’ll also find tips on where to find them and a bunch of great ways to use them in the kitchen at the end of this article.

Around here, we look forward to garlic scape season all year. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last long. These tender green shoots appear for just a couple of weeks in early summer. If you’re growing garlic, you’ll notice them curling up from the center of the plant. You might also spot them at your local farmers market or tucked into a CSA box if you’re lucky. In some areas, you may see them at Asian markets or smaller produce stands between March and early July, depending on the weather and growing zone.

Because they’re only available for such a short time, it makes sense to preserve them while you can. Freezing, pickling, and even dehydrating are all easy options. These methods let you enjoy garlic scapes in recipes long after they’ve disappeared from the garden.

So what exactly are garlic scapes? They’re the long, curly flower stems that hardneck garlic plants send up before the bulbs are ready to harvest. If left alone, the scape would form a bulb-shaped flower at the top and eventually go to seed. But for most growers, the goal is to produce a strong garlic bulb, not seeds. By cutting the scapes off early, the plant puts more energy into the bulb underground instead of trying to bloom. That’s good for the garlic, and even better for you, because now you’ve got a pile of tender, flavorful stems to work with.

Garlic scapes have a gentle garlic taste, less sharp than a clove, and they’re incredibly versatile. You can use them raw in pestos, dips, or dressings. Cooked, they mellow out even more and work beautifully in stir-fries, soups, pastas, and egg dishes. Think of them as a cross between a garlic clove and a green bean. They can be chopped, blended, grilled, or pureed, and once you get used to having them on hand, it’s hard to go without.

Even if you don’t grow your own garlic, it’s worth seeking out garlic scapes when they’re in season. You might need to ask around at local markets or co-ops, since they’re not always displayed front and center. But once you find a good source, stock up, and get them into the freezer or pickling jar so you can use them long after summer fades.

And if you’re wondering how to put your preserved garlic scapes to good use, don’t worry. There’s a list of easy, tasty recipe ideas waiting for you at the end.

See the full tutorial on Binky’s Culinary Carnival, How to Preserve Garlic Scapes.

Learn about Freezing Blackberries here.