What Are Garlic Scapes?

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Garlic lovers, rejoice—there’s a delicious bonus harvest hiding in your garden before the bulbs are even ready! Garlic scapes are the curly green shoots that appear in early summer on hardneck garlic plants. They're a once-a-year treat with a mild garlic flavor that’s perfect for everything from quick sautés to pesto.

Let’s uncover what garlic scapes are, how and when to harvest them, plus two simple recipes and tips for storing your harvest.

How and When to Harvest Garlic Scapes

Best Time to Harvest

In Zone 6b (and similar climates), the scapes usually emerge in late May to mid-June. The ideal time to harvest them is when they make one full curl but before they straighten out, which means they’re tender and flavorful.

How to Harvest:

Using clean garden shears or scissors, snip the scape at the base where it emerges from the last garlic leaf. Be gentle not to tug too hard, as you could damage the stem. Harvesting scapes doesn’t harm the garlic—it helps it!

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Garlic scapes are the flower stalks that grow from hardneck garlic varieties. As the plant matures, it sends up a green, curly shoot that eventually develops a small, unopened flower bud. If left on the plant, the scape will bloom—but removing it helps the garlic bulb grow larger, as the plant redirects energy downward instead of into flower production.

🍽️ Two Simple Garlic Scape Recipes

1. Garlic Scape Pesto

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped garlic scapes

• ½ cup olive oil

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• ¼ cup toasted nuts (pine nuts, walnuts, or sunflower seeds)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Squeeze of lemon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine chopped scapes, nuts, and cheese in a food processor.

2. Pulse while slowly drizzling in olive oil until smooth.

3. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice if using.

4. Use on pasta, sandwiches, grilled veggies, or freeze for later.

2. Sautéed Garlic Scapes

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of garlic scapes, trimmed and cut into 1-2 inch pieces

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

• Salt and pepper

• Optional: squeeze of lemon or sprinkle of chili flakes

Instructions:

1. Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.

2. Add garlic scapes and sauté for 5–7 minutes until tender and lightly browned.

3. Season with salt, pepper, and optional toppings.

4. Serve as a side dish or add to omelets, stir-fries, or grain bowls.

🧊 How to Store Garlic Scapes

Refrigerator:
Wrap loosely in a damp paper towel and place in a plastic or reusable bag in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for 2–3 weeks.

Freezer:
Chop scapes and freeze raw in airtight containers or freezer bags. Or make pesto and freeze it in ice cube trays for easy portioning.

Garlic scapes are a seasonal delicacy that not only add flavor to your kitchen but also support bigger garlic bulbs at harvest time. Don’t let these curly wonders go to waste—snip them fresh, enjoy their subtle bite, and savor the secret bonus of growing your own garlic.

Have you harvested scapes yet this season? Let us know how you use them in your kitchen!

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