Garlic Scapes

Every year around mid-June and right on schedule, we begin to harvest garlic scapes off of the few rows of garlic we planted in the fall.  

Garlic planting happens in late October and harvesting is early to mid-July. All the growth takes place throughout the winter and spring. About three to four weeks before the garlic is ready for harvesting, we clip the garlic scapes from the plant. The scapes are the stems and flower buds that grow out of the garlic plant. Each plant produces a single, tender, and coiled scape.

Why we love them:

They arrive just before the summer vegetable harvest really gets going and offer something new to enjoy beyond all the spring bounty of lettuce, radish, and snow peas. They have a mild garlic flavor that is not overwhelming.

How to use:

• Roast with a little olive oil and salt in a 425-degree oven for about 20 minutes. I used the recipe from Chasing the Seasons. They are perfect for adding to roasted potatoes or just to snack on.

• Basil Pesto: replace garlic cloves with a couple of scapes and add to your food processor to blend. This adds a wonderful, mild garlic flavor to your pesto.

• Chopping and freezing to save and add to fall soup recipes.

Like most vegetables, the harvest window is short. A reminder to savor the abundance of a garden moment.