A garlic scape is the elongated, curly stem that emerges from the central stem of hardneck garlic plants in early summer. It’s actually the precursor of the garlic’s seed head or flower. The scapes are delicious, and removing them will ultimately result in a larger bulb of garlic. This is best done when the scape has about one full loop in it. If you wait too long, they will straighten out and become tough and stringy. Even if they straighten out, cut them off to encourage larger heads of garlic.
To harvest: In the early summer, once the scapes emerge and curl, break them off immediately at the top leaf of the plant.
Young, tender garlic scapes can be enjoyed raw or cooked. Their mild, bright garlic flavor makes them extremely versatile in the kitchen. They make a delicious addition to salads, can be sauteed and used in pasta dishes and are even great pickled! Our favorite way to enjoy garlic scapes is to blend them into a pesto.
More on growing and harvesting garlic:
Garlic and onions are some of the most satisfying crops you can grow in your home garden. Garlic is generally planted in the Fall, and onions are among the first transplants to be tucked into the early spring garden. These crops are both ready to harvest at the onset of peak harvest season, a harbinger of the forthcoming abundance. Luckily the crops are happy to be stored away for us to enjoy during less bounteous times of year. In this episode, we’re sharing some tips that will help you know when your crops are ready to harvest and how to store them.