13 Jun Garlic Scapes
We’ve heard of landscapes, and soundscapes, but what in the heck are garlic scapes?
Also known as garlic shoots and garlic snakes, the garlic scape is the seed head from the hard-necked variety of garlic, which appears when the clove begins to sprout and grow and shows you where the bulb will sprout.
Garlic scapes are great in a quick sautéed stir fry, because when raw, they have the sharp flavor of garlic, but when sautéed, they have a milder finish than you might expect. An ideal Spring addition to any dish that would use leeks, chives, or other green aromatics, they are also great in spring rolls.
Garlic scapes, unlike garlic bulbs, are very seasonal and have a short window of availability. As you can imagine, since they are the shoots of the hard-necked garlic, they appear during May and early June, and can usually only be found at farm stands. Though hard to find in the past (when farmers would typically compost them), the recent surge in popularity among consumers has led to their appearance at greenmarkets and some specialty markets. It’s unlikely that you’ll find garlic scapes at your local large chain supermarket, but if you do, snatch them up and play with them!