How do you prepare garlic scapes?
What part of garlic scapes are edible?
What part of garlic scapes do you eat? The entire garlic scape is edible and you can use the whole scape in pestos and other purees. However, the area from the bulb (where it bulges out) to the skinny tip can be rather tough and stringy, so I discard that portion. (Taste it for yourself and decide if you like it!)
What should I do with my garlic scapes?
- Cut garlic scapes into 6-inch pieces and pickle them. (Think pickled green beans or thin kosher dill pickles.)
- Sauté scapes and use them as a pizza topping.
- Use the scapes whole in a warm-weather-friendly braise.
- Mix chopped scapes with a stick of butter to make a garlicky compound butter for grilled or pan-fried fish.
Should you cut off garlic scapes?
Since the bulb is what we eat, we recommend cutting the scape. Plus, scapes are delicious and can be used just like garlic, but they are ready a month or two before the garlic bulb. To cut your scape, wait until the center stalk completely forms and grows above the rest of the plant.