If you find yourself staring at a garlic scape thinking, "WTF is that?" don't worry. You're not alone. They might be something of a mystery to many, but garlic scapes are worth getting to know. They're twisty, curly, bright green stems that shoot up from garlic bulbs. They are also sometimes called garlic shoots, stems, spears, or, our favorite, serpent garlic.
The garlic that we all know and love has separate cloves and papery skin. That stuff starts out as green garlic (or spring garlic), before it matures. The bulb and roots grow underground while a stem, leaves and scapes soak up sunshine up above.
Obviously, garlic is amazing for lots of reasons, but here's our favorite one: the whole plant is edible. This includes the scapes, which are treats that come along early each summer in markets and CSAs. Using the whole plant isn't only trendy, it's responsible and will open your horizons. Garlic scapes, you win this one.
Scapes taste (duh) like garlic, but a bright, fresh, verdant version of it. You can use them anywhere you'd use regular garlic. So is there any real reason you should buy garlic scapes instead of garlic? Cooking with garlic scapes is like getting to have scallions that taste like garlic -- so yes, go get some while they're around!
Orzo Cooked Risotto-style With Shiitake Mushrooms And Garlic Scapes
Garlic Scape Vinegar
Cilantro Black Rice With Roasted Garlic Scapes And Asparagus
Garlic Scape Beef Satay With Garlic Scape Satay Dip
Kale, Basil, Garlic Scape, Pistachio Pesto
Garlic Scape Green Gazpacho
Asparagus With Young Garlic And Horseradish
Bacon-Wrapped Garlic Scapes
Basic, Bang Up Blue Cheese Dressing
Okonomiyaki With Garlic Scapes
Garlic Scape And Zucchini Pizza
Grilled Naan With Garlic Scape Chutney
Spinach, Pea And Garlic Scape Soup
Brick Chicken With Garlic Scapes And Lemon
Vegetarian Stir-Fried Garlic Scapes
Tempura Garlic Scapes With Garlic Scape Aioli
Garlic Scape And Gruyere Biscuits
Lacto-Fermented Pickles With Garlic Scapes
