The vibrant stalks of garlic shoots can be seen bundled together in farmer’s markets or curled among your garden garlic. We’ll explore what they are and 10 tasty ways to use them.
As with any vegetable, garlic produces flowers and, eventually, seeds. A garlic shoot (aka scape) is a curling green spike that blooms in the middle of summer.
Flowering garlic redirects nutrients from the bulb to the flower, resulting in a smaller and less tasty bulb. Most gardeners chop the garlic shoot off before it flowers, ensuring the bulbs grow as big and flavorful as possible. These edible scapes make a tasty vegetable on their own, combining the leafy freshness of scallions or chives with a subtle garlic pungency. So instead of tossing them, chop garlic shoots above the tough plant base for a versatile vegetable that works in many dishes.
1. Sautéed Scapes: The Quick and Easy Solution
If you’re short on time and want a quick dish, sautéed garlic shoots are a great option. As with garlic bulbs, cooking garlic shoots results in a less intense flavor — making this a perfect green side dish.
2. Grill or Roast
Grilling or roasting your garlic shoots with a little salt and olive oil is a great alternative to sautéeing. While sautéed scapes typically soften, grilled or roasted scapes caramelize and develop a rich, crispy texture.
3. Fried Garlic Scapes
Frying your garlic shoots gives you the healthiness of vegetables with the tastiness of comfort food. Bread or batter your scapes before frying for a satisfying crunch.
4. Garlic Shoot Soup
The possibilities for garlic shoots in soup are nearly endless. Chop them, purée them, or use them as a main ingredient or garnish. Whichever soup you make, remember to sauté the scapes first to tone down their pungency.
5. Pesto
Homemade pesto is a great way to make the most of garlic shoots’ garlicky taste and leafy texture. A garlic shoot pesto can be made exclusively of scapes or mixed with typical basil for a more delicate flavor. Depending on how intense you like your pesto, you may not need to add any garlic cloves at all — so give your scapes a taste first.
6. Garlic Scape Butter
Butter is a simple and effective medium for the bright flavor of garlic shoots. Not only can you spread it on toast for a quick and attractive snack, but butter can be frozen and used for cooking later on. To make garlic shoot butter, chop the scapes finely and sauté them to soften them up. Then, mix with room temperature butter. Consider using vegan substitutes for butter in this recipe.
7. Pickled Scapes
Pickling is a terrific way to preserve many garlic shoots all at once. Pickled shoots develop a delicious crunch and tang with toned-down pungence. Use pickled garlic shoots as a side dish, topping, salad ingredient or anywhere you would typically use pickles. Read about how to ferment vegetables for recipes and tips.
8. Kimchi
This spicy Korean staple traditionally consists of fermented cabbage and vegetables; however, you can add garlic shoots as either a primary ingredient or accent. Although making it may sound intimidating at first, kimchi is easy to put together, can be used in a variety of dishes and lasts for months with proper storage. Making your own kimchi also lets you control the level of spiciness. You can even opt to make white kimchi, which doesn’t use any chili peppers.
9. Not Sure? Substitute Garlic Shoots Into Any Veggie Dish
With their delicate flavor, scapes make a versatile addition to nearly any dish. Due to their similar taste and texture, you can also use them as a substitute for chives or scallions. Drop them into quiche, spread them over pizza, toss them into a vegan chop suey, or chop them up as a garnish for meats, soups or potatoes.
10. Still Can’t Decide? Freeze Them for Later
Garlic shoots freeze and thaw wonderfully to use in later recipes. While the scapes can be chopped into a more manageable size and frozen immediately, blanching is recommended to extend their life, maintain color and shape and reduce strength. To blanch garlic scapes, drop them into boiling water for around 20-30 seconds or until their color intensifies, then remove and immediately cool them in an ice-water bath.
Read more:
- Get Rid of Garlic Breath: 9 Remedies for Mouth and Hands
- Can You Freeze Garlic? Whole Clove, Peeled, or Chopped
- Are Sprouted Onions Poisonous? Here’s What You Should Know
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