Transform Your Kitchen with Proper Garlic Scape Storage
Learn how to store and freeze fresh garlic scapes, where to source them, and find lots of great recipes for using them.
Garlic scapes have such a short season that it is nice to be able to preserve them when they emerge to be able to use them throughout the year.
We love garlic scapes around here, but their season is incredibly short. Just a few weeks in the summer, it can be found in your garden or at the farmers market.
Why not preserve them so that they can be enjoyed all year long until that two-week period they are available next year? They are incredibly easy to preserve by a number of different techniques.
Stay tuned at the end of the article for lots of recipes in which you can use these garlic scapes.
What the heck are garlic scapes?
Garlic scapes are the flower bud and the stalk or stem of the bud (botanically known as the peduncle) of hardneck garlic plants.
Since the portion of the garlic that we are seeking when we grow them is the garlic bulb, the flowers are removed. This way, the plant doesn’t put its energy into seed production (from the flower) but instead concentrates energy on the bulb itself.
The mild garlic flavor that scapes have is perfect for adding to so many dishes.
When to plant garlic
Garlic is generally planted in the fall when temperatures begin to cool. September or October (zones 5-7) is perfect.
In zones 1-4, plant bulbs in late October or November.
To grow garlic in zones 8-9, the bulbs must be stored in the refrigerator for at least eight weeks (a process called vernalization). Then, the bulbs can be planted in November or December.
The bulb will grow throughout the winter and spring. The scapes usually appear about six weeks before the bulb is ready to harvest.
When to harvest the scapes
This flower from the garlic is produced from mid-June to mid-July in the northern regions. As soon as you see the garlic scapes first curl, cut, or break them off.
Where to find them
If you aren’t growing garlic in your garden, then you can occasionally find it at farmer’s markets, farm stands, and local Asian food suppliers. Look for them from March to the beginning of July, depending on where you live.
How to store garlic scapes
Refrigeration
Garlic scapes refrigerate well. They will last a minimum of 4 weeks refrigerated, so save a bunch of them for immediate use. If the tips of either end dries out or become discolored, cut it off with a sharp knife.
- Store them unwashed in a plastic bag, whole.
- Add a damp piece of paper towel to the bag. Store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
An alternative would be to make a fresh cut on the cut end of the scape. Place the scapes in a jar of water and then place the jar in the refrigerator. Change the water daily. I find that the tips of the buds dry out with this method, though. This method will only preserve them for about two weeks.
Freezing
The best way to preserve them for long-term storage is to freeze them. They freeze well in many forms. Make sure that the garlic scapes are clean and that any debris and dirt is removed.
Freeze them raw. Wash and dry the scapes. Process them in the food processor (or chop by hand) until they are fine chunks. Add to freezer bags. Flatten the bags with your hands or a rolling pin. Store flat in the freezer for about one year. Remove a chunk of frozen garlic any time you want to use them in a recipe.
Freeze them in the form of pesto. Just make the garlic scape pesto. Place in bags and flatten and freeze as the raw scapes above. You can also freeze them in cupcake tins. Spray tin first with no-stick spray to make them easier to remove, then push pesto in the cups to fill the holes.
Freeze them into compound butter. Make garlic scape butter and freeze as described in the raw and pesto above. Use this to flavor grilled meats or on biscuits or rolls.
Preserving
Make pickled garlic scapes with vinegar, salt, and spices, which will last at least a year. Great on charcuterie boards or grazing platters. Top a burger. Just eat them as you would a pickle. They are garlicky perfection.
Dehydrating
By dehydrating the garlic scapes, you can make your own Garlic Powder to use in recipes all year!
Recipes for fresh garlic scapes
There are lots of delicious ways to enjoy fresh scapes, too. Here is a great list of original recipes for your enjoyment. Use them in a stir fry, fried rice, or stews, or to compliment pasta or add to homemade hummus.
Grilling and frying
Grilling them yields a texture similar to grilled asparagus. They get crispy on the outside and are soft and tender on the inside. Serve as a side with your main dish.
Sauces and Condiments
Soups
Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas on how to store and preserve garlic scapes. Get some today and use this short-lived addition to your summer recipes. If you are a garlic fan, you’ll love them.
