It's like eating a green bean that has roasted garlic inside!
What in the world is a scape you ask?
And more specially what is a garlic scape?
If you have never had garlic scapes you are in for a treat. Here is why
What are Garlic Scapes?
Garlic scapes are the unopened flower from the top of a garlic plant. They are green and tend to curl up. Garlic growers like to remove them from the plants so they can grow larger bulbs.
Only hardneck varieties of garlic grow these scapes.
Once the scapes are removed they can be used in the kitchen. They are a gourmet treat.
What Do Garlic Scapes Taste Like?
When are Garlic Scapes in Season?
The season is very short for them, so get them while you can.
I find garlic scapes here in Michigan available in June and into July. In August is when our garlic bulbs are ready to be harvested. So whenever garlic bulbs are ready in your area, you can expect the scapes about a month before or so.
The best place to get them is at your local farmer's market. If you are lucky you might find them at a specialty grocery store.
What Part of the Garlic Scape Do You Eat?
All of the garlic scape is edible. There is no reason to waste any of it.
How to Roast Garlic Scapes
The best way I think to use them is to simply roast them in the oven. Let me show you how.
How to Chop Garlic Scapes
Before roasting I trim the garlic scapes. I first take off the thin part at the top of the unopened flower. It will just burn in the oven. If they look good save them and use them like chives.
Next I slice the scapes into 2-3 pieces so they fit better on the pan and cook faster.
Using parchment paper on your sheet pan will make clean up that much easier.
I then drizzle some olive oil onto the scapes and roast them in the oven at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, flipping them half through the cooking.
They are done when soft and carmelized - yummy!
What Do Roasted Garlic Scapes Taste Like?
The texture is somewhere between roasted asparagus and roasted green beans. The best part is that they naturally have a roasted garlic flavor without having to chop up any garlic. If you can find them, snatch them up and give this method a try. They are avaialble in the Midwest in mid to late June.
How to Eat Roasted Garlic Scapes
Honestly the best way I love to eat them is by simply eating them. I enjoy them as a veggie as its.
Garlic scapes are also great to use as a topping for homemade pizza. So good.
Roasted Garlic Scapes
Ingredients
- 1 bunch garlic scapes bunches are usually between 8-12
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- kosher salt to taste
- freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set your oven to 400 degrees.
- Cut the scapes into 2-3 pieces. I cut off any tips that I consider to be too thin. They will just burn before the rest of the scape is done. I use the tips in other dishes just like one would use chopped garlic.
- Arrange the scapes on a sheet pan lined with a parchment paper.
- Drizzle some olive oil over the scapes, before adding some kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Slide the pan in the oven and roast them until they are tender and just starting to caramelize about 15 minutes. Flip half way through cooking.
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Real Raw Honey
OMG. These look SO yummy!!! My mouth is watering 😀