Garlic Scapes and How to Use Them

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Garlic scapes are one of our favorite local veggies here at the co-op. If you’ve never tried these crunchy, garlicky stalks before, now is the perfect time. It’s also the only time, as they’re available for a limited window in spring and early summer. Now’s your chance to dig in!

Garlic scapes explained

These long, curling tendrils are actually early seasonal growths from garlic plants. They begin to sprout in late spring and are harvested through early summer. If left on the plant, they will eventually bud into flowers and shed seeds. By trimming them off, more energy is focused on developing the bulb of the garlic. This gives larger, more flavorful garlic bulbs for farmers to sell later and plenty of scapes for shoppers now. It’s a win-win scenario for farmers and eaters!

Garlic scapes uses

There are plenty of ways you can enjoy garlic scapes, both on their own or in recipes. Here are some suggestions:

  • Fresh scapes can be sliced and tossed into salads or blended with olive oil, vinegar, and fresh herbs for a delightful salad dressing.
  • Sliced scapes are a great addition to stir-fries. Just substitute them for garlic in your favorite recipe.
  • Roasted or grilled scapes are great served alongside or on top of your favorite protein. Try slicing and serving cooked scapes over fish, poultry, or tofu.
  • Roasted scapes are also a splendid ingredient in tomato sauce, like in our Roasted Cherry Tomato, Eggplant, and Garlic Scape Pasta Sauce!*

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  • Scapes are also a great base for making fresh pasta sauces, like in our Garlic Scape Pesto!

Don’t wait to enjoy them because they’re only available for a limited time. Stop in and pick up fresh, local garlic scapes before they’re gone!