What Are Garlic Scapes? Nutrition, Uses, and Cooking Tips
Explore garlic scapes: learn about their unique flavor, nutritional benefits, seasonal availability, storage, and creative culinary uses.
What Are Garlic Scapes?
Garlic scapes are the long, curly green flower stalks that grow from the bulbs of hardneck garlic plants in late spring and early summer. Often considered a seasonal delicacy, these shoots are typically snipped off by farmers to encourage the garlic bulb to grow larger and more robust. Their flavor is milder and sweeter than a garlic clove, offering a unique, grassy freshness with a crunchy texture that many describe as a cross between green beans and scallions.
Key points about garlic scapes:
- Harvested from hardneck garlic plants before the bulb is fully mature.
- Available in late spring to early summer, usually from May to July.
- Less pungent and more tender than mature garlic cloves.
- Both the stalk and the bud can be eaten, though some prefer to trim the bud for a more consistent texture.
Garlic Scapes vs. Garlic Bulbs: What’s the Difference?
| Characteristic | Garlic Scapes | Garlic Bulbs |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Plant | Flower stalk (immature) | Root bulb (mature root) |
| Season | Late spring to early summer | Soon after scapes; mid-summer to early fall |
| Flavor | Mild, sweet, grassy, lightly garlicky | Pungent, intense garlic taste |
| Texture | Crisp, crunchy, tender (when young) | Firm, dense, can be sharp when raw |
| Common Uses | Pesto, stir-fries, salads, grilling, pickling | Roasting, mincing, seasoning, sauces |
Seasonality and Where to Find Garlic Scapes
Garlic scapes are a seasonal produce most readily available during late spring and early summer. Their window of availability is relatively short, usually spanning from late May through early July, depending on region and weather patterns. They are rarely available at typical grocery stores but can be found at farmer’s markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes, specialty produce stores, or by growing your own garlic.
Look for scapes that are:
- Bright green and firm
- Without signs of wilting, yellowing, or pest damage
- Generally 8–18 inches long; younger and more tender when shorter
How to Store Garlic Scapes
Proper storage can help extend their freshness for several weeks after harvest:
- Refrigerate unwashed scapes in a paper bag or wrapped in a damp paper towel, then place them in the vegetable crisper drawer.
- Use within 1–3 weeks for the best quality and flavor, but they can last up to a month in the fridge.
- For long-term storage, you can blanch and freeze chopped scapes on a baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container.
Nutritional Benefits of Garlic Scapes
Garlic scapes offer notable nutritional value, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While the USDA does not have an official profile for scapes, their composition is similar to green garlic and alliums. Here’s what makes them a nutritious choice:
- High in antioxidants: Especially allicin, the same compound in garlic bulbs, which supports heart health and fights inflammation.
- Rich in vitamins: Especially Vitamins A and C—important for immune health, skin, and eye function.
- Source of minerals: Including potassium, calcium, manganese, and selenium—contributing to healthy bones and cardiovascular function.
- Low in calories and carbohydrates: Ideal for weight management and low-carb or keto diets.
- Good fiber content: Adds bulk for digestive health.
What others are reading
Estimated nutrition per one cup of chopped scapes:
- Calories: ~27
- Carbohydrates: ~6g
- Fiber: ~2g
- Protein: ~2g
Health Benefits of Garlic Scapes
- Combats Inflammation: Allicin and antioxidants in scapes help reduce inflammation, potentially lowering risk of chronic conditions like arthritis and heart disease.
- Supports Immune Function: Vitamins C and A boost immune defense against illness.
- Promotes Cardiovascular Health: Nutrients like potassium and allicin may help regulate blood pressure and support circulation.
- Supports Bone Health: Minerals like calcium and manganese contribute to bone strength.
- May offer Antibacterial and Antifungal Effects: Similar to garlic, scapes can offer mild protective properties due to their bioactive compounds.
How to Prepare Garlic Scapes
Preparing garlic scapes for cooking is straightforward but benefits from a few tips:
- Wash thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt.
- Trim off the woody base and, if desired, the flower bud (some recipes include the whole scape, while others only use the stalk).
- Chop, mince, or leave whole depending on your intended use.
Tenderness varies by age: younger, shorter scapes are more delicate, while older ones can be tougher and may need extra peeling or blanching.
Size and Texture Tips
- Scapes are generally 12–18 inches in length and about a quarter inch in diameter.
- Younger specimens are preferred for raw applications and gentle cooking.
Culinary Uses: How to Cook with Garlic Scapes
The versatility of garlic scapes makes them a favorite among chefs and home cooks during their fleeting season. They can be enjoyed raw or cooked, adding depth of flavor and visual appeal to many dishes.
Popular Cooking Methods:
- Pesto: Blend scapes with olive oil, nuts (like walnuts or pine nuts), Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for a bright, garlicky sauce.
- Stir-Fries: Slice and add near the end of cooking for a mild garlic bite and crispness.
- Grilled/Roasted: Toss whole scapes with oil, salt, and pepper, then grill or roast until slightly charred and tender.
- Pickled: Brine scapes for a crunchy, zingy addition to charcuterie or sandwiches.
- Salads & Slaws: Finely slice raw scapes for a subtle, fresh garlic note.
- Soup garnish: Chop and sprinkle over pureed soups for color and pop.
Recipe Ideas
- Garlic scape hummus or aioli
- Garlic scape compound butter for steak or vegetables
- Egg dishes, frittatas, omelets, or scrambled eggs with sautéed scapes
- Added to pizza or pasta for flavor and color
- Fermented or lacto-pickled for gut-healthy snacks
How to Grow and Harvest Garlic Scapes
If you grow hardneck garlic, you can harvest your own scapes:
- Wait until late spring when the curly stalks emerge from the center of garlic plants.
- Cut the scape just above the topmost leaf using sharp garden shears, removing only the tender stalk and bud.
- Harvesting scapes not only provides a tasty ingredient but also helps the underground garlic bulbs expand and mature.
Buying Garlic Scapes
Garlic scapes are a seasonal item and are rarely sold at typical supermarkets. For best luck:
- Check local farmer’s markets or CSA shares from late May through July.
- Look for bright, undamaged, firm scapes without yellowing or flowering blossoms.
- Store as soon as possible to maintain freshness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are garlic scapes the same as green garlic?
A: No. Green garlic is the immature garlic plant before a bulb forms, while garlic scapes are the curly flower stalks that develop later on hardneck garlic varieties.
Q: Can you eat garlic scapes raw?
A: Yes. Their mild flavor and crunchy texture make them great in salads, slaws, or as a garnish. Younger scapes are especially tender and suited to raw preparations.
Q: How long do garlic scapes last?
A: Stored in the refrigerator, they last 1–3 weeks, sometimes longer. For long-term storage, blanch and freeze them.
Q: Are garlic scapes healthy?
A: Yes. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, with many of the same health benefits as regular garlic.
Q: Can I replace garlic with garlic scapes in recipes?
A: Generally, yes, if you seek a milder, fresher garlic flavor. Scapes are best for dishes where texture and appearance matter, like stir-fries, pestos, or salads.
Summary: Why You Should Try Garlic Scapes
- Garlic scapes are a nutritious, seasonal highlight with a gentle garlic flavor and multitude of uses in the kitchen.
- Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, they offer health benefits similar to garlic bulbs.
- Storing, prepping, and cooking scapes is easy and opens up new flavor opportunities each spring and summer.
- Pick them up at your next farmer’s market or grow your own for best results!
References
- https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/garlic-scapes-an-early-summer-delicacy/
- https://simpleseasonal.com/farm-to-table/all-about-garlic-scapes
- https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/healthy-eats-and-repeat/2019-06-12-game-garlic-scapes
- https://www.whocooksforyoufarm.com/produce-guide-item/garlicscapes
- https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a40209341/what-are-garlic-scapes/
- https://food.unl.edu/article/garlic-scapes/
- http://farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Garlic-Scapes-Profile.pdf
- https://foodprint.org/real-food/garlic-scapes/
- https://thewellnessalmanac.com/2013/04/14/nutrition-garlic-scapes-and-the-joy-of-eating-in-the-spring-time/
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