What to do with garlic scapes - These simple and easy recipes will explain how to use and cook these fresh spring greens from your garden or the farmer's market.

I've posted a couple of recipes lately in which I used garlic scapes, and almost immediately, I got emails:
Garlic scapes? What are garlic scapes? Where do I buy them? Help!
I have to be honest. I never heard of garlic scapes before they came in our box from our CSA.
But they came several weeks in a row, so I had to figure out what to do with them.
Apparently, garlic scapes are the shoots that garlic bulbs send up as they're growing. Garlic bulbs want to become garlic plants, so they send up green things like onions do. The shoots get so long that they curl.
Farmers harvest these shoots so that the plant uses its energy to make a bigger bulb instead of making a bigger plant. That's how plants work.
Scapes appear about three weeks before garlic bulbs are ready to harvest, and that swollen bit near the end is the part that would become a flower if left on the plant. The plant is trying to flower and make seeds to make new garlic plants. Again, that's how plants work.
Garlic is planted in the fall and grows over the winter, so scapes are common springtime sights in CSA boxes and at farmer's markets. They are not frequently found in grocery stores.
Garlic scapes definitely taste like garlic, but the flavor is very mild and almost sweet. They're like garlic essence, without the bite you back quality of a clove of raw garlic.
Because they're so mild, you can use them raw or cook them. Like a green onion, you can slice them and use them to garnish an omelet or in a salad. However, the part between the swollen flower and the tip is often tough and fibrous, so you probably don't want to use that raw. It's okay to cook or use in purées, but it doesn't have a particularly nice texture for salads or garnishes.
If you love garlic like I do or if you like garlic but hate to smell for days, you should definitely look for garlic scapes.
50 Ways to Use Garlic Scapes
10 more easy ways to use garlic scapes
Remember, if you're using them raw, you will want to trim off and discard everything above (and including) the swollen flower part.
- Slice and add to any stir fry.
- Slice and add to any sauce, especially red or white spaghetti sauce.
- Slice and use as a garnish for anything savory - omelets, pasta, guacamole, salsa, meat. They go with just about everything.
- Chop and add to softened cream cheese.
- Chop and add to garlic bread.
- Chop and sprinkle on bruschetta or pizza.
- Slice or chop and throw into a green salad.
- Sauté until tender and add to mashed potatoes.
- Toss in olive oil and pressed garlic and grill them.
- Toss in olive oil and pressed garlic, sprinkle with grated Parmesan, and roast them in the oven.
Garlic scapes are a wonderful treat to enjoy in the late spring and early summer, and you'll wish that they were available all year round. Maybe you'll even take up growing garlic in your own yard! It's easy!
Melissa says
I'd never heard of garlic scapes, either. I've grown garlic a few times, but I just let the tops grow. I'll have to try clipping them off to use.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Cucumber Salad =-.
Melissa says
I'd never heard of garlic scapes, either. I've grown garlic a few times, but I just let the tops grow. I'll have to try clipping them off to use.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Cucumber Salad =-.
TooManyHats says
Never heard of them. Now I am going to have to look for them. Thanks for the lesson.
.-= TooManyHats´s last blog ..Recipe Swap 7/13/09 =-.
Nicole Feliciano says
Thanks for this info. I see these at the farmer's market and will try them.
.-= Nicole Feliciano´s last blog ..Kickboard USA Scooter Giveaway =-.
Robyns Online World says
I had never heard of them either - but heck they taste like garlic so they must be good! I will be on the lookout for them when I get to a farmer's market.
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..What a Man! =-.
anissa says
I've never heard of that! Sounds pretty good because I love to cook with garlic. Thanks for sharing.
.-= anissa´s last blog ..Toddler Virtue Tees Reviews =-.
Harriet says
I didn't know you could actually use those. hhhhmmmmmm. thanks
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/07/monday-crazy-questions-and-recipe-swap_12.html
.-= Harriet´s last blog ..THE JULY COMMENT CHALLENGE!!!!!! =-.
TooManyHats says
Never heard of them. Now I am going to have to look for them. Thanks for the lesson.
.-= TooManyHats´s last blog ..Recipe Swap 7/13/09 =-.
Nicole Feliciano says
Thanks for this info. I see these at the farmer's market and will try them.
.-= Nicole Feliciano´s last blog ..Kickboard USA Scooter Giveaway =-.
Ann Kroeker says
Ya learn something new every day! Thanks for educating us!
.-= Ann Kroeker´s last blog ..Make-Do Mondays: Make-Do Mousepad =-.
rachel-asouthernfairytale says
How neat!!! I had never heard of these before and they sound great for lovers of Garlic!
Thanks for sharing this info!!!
rachel-asouthernfairytale says
How neat!!! I had never heard of these before and they sound great for lovers of Garlic!
Thanks for sharing this info!!!
Robyn's Online World says
I had never heard of them either - but heck they taste like garlic so they must be good! I will be on the lookout for them when I get to a farmer's market.
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..What a Man! =-.
anissa says
I've never heard of that! Sounds pretty good because I love to cook with garlic. Thanks for sharing.
.-= anissa´s last blog ..Toddler Virtue Tees Reviews =-.
Harriet says
I didn't know you could actually use those. hhhhmmmmmm. thanks
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/07/monday-crazy-questions-and-recipe-swap_12.html
.-= Harriet´s last blog ..THE JULY COMMENT CHALLENGE!!!!!! =-.
angie says
think I learned something else off your blog thanks
angie says
think I learned something else off your blog thanks
Ann Kroeker says
Ya learn something new every day! Thanks for educating us!
.-= Ann Kroeker´s last blog ..Make-Do Mondays: Make-Do Mousepad =-.
Piera-Jolly Mom says
I'd never heard of them either. Thanks for letting us know! I will look for them!
.-= Piera-Jolly Mom´s last blog ..Back to School: Dorm Room Makeovers on a Budget =-.
Piera-Jolly Mom says
I'd never heard of them either. Thanks for letting us know! I will look for them!
.-= Piera-Jolly Mom´s last blog ..Back to School: Dorm Room Makeovers on a Budget =-.
Anonymous says
We love scapes! We toss them in olive oil and put them on the BBQ. Delicious!
.-= Annie @ PhD in Parenting´s last blog ..Learning and Nodding: Raising My Boychick =-.
Annie @ PhD in Parenting says
We love scapes! We toss them in olive oil and put them on the BBQ. Delicious!
.-= Annie @ PhD in Parenting´s last blog ..Learning and Nodding: Raising My Boychick =-.
Bonnie says
I have never heard of garlic scapes either. Good to know if I ever try growing them.
.-= Bonnie´s last blog ..Tackle It Tuesday =-.
Bonnie says
I have never heard of garlic scapes either. Good to know if I ever try growing them.
.-= Bonnie´s last blog ..Tackle It Tuesday =-.
Anonymous says
Yum! I need to keep my eyes out for these and see if I can pick some up to try out.
.-= mub´s last blog ..No Roll Pie Crust =-.
mub says
Yum! I need to keep my eyes out for these and see if I can pick some up to try out.
.-= mub´s last blog ..No Roll Pie Crust =-.
Wendy says
I love Garlic, I am actually growing some now. Thanks for sharing.
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..Factory Outlets in Pa Dutch Country =-.
Jenna @ Newlyweds says
I've never grown garlic, but I do grow shallots and we cut the greens off the top and use them all the time, delicious!! Thank for sharing.
.-= Jenna @ Newlyweds´s last blog ..Multiples and More Interview =-.
Lisa@Blessedwithgrace says
Thanks for the recipe and sharing your summer veggie tips with us. I am glad you joined us for TMTT this week.
.-= Lisa@Blessedwithgrace´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday....Black Bean Salad =-.
Wendy says
I love Garlic, I am actually growing some now. Thanks for sharing.
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..Factory Outlets in Pa Dutch Country =-.