Garlic Scapes

Some scapes aren’t used as vegetables but scapes of garlic, alongside scallion, garlic chives, and regular chives are edible and delicious. Garlic Scapes are actually the tender stem of a hard neck garlic plant. They initially grow straight from the bulb and they look like long & curly beans when harvested.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Asparagales
• Family: Amaryllidaceae
• Subfamily: Alloideae
• Genus: Allum
• Species: A. Sativum
• Binomial name: Allum Sativum

Garlic Scape Trivia

• They have been used as spring vegetables in Middle Eastern, Southern, and Eastern European and Asian cultures.
• Garlic Scapes are also known as Garlic Shoots, Garlic Spears, and Serpent garlic. 

 

Garlic Scape Buying Guide

When buying Garlic Scapes, choose those that are soft and curly. An expert clarifies that the best garlic scapes are those that have the most curves. He said, “It will have the softest, tender, usable scape”. 

 

 

Garlic Scape Production & Farming in Texas

In the state of Texas, garlic is a perennial plant and is usually planted around late fall. If the crops are planted in October, they will mature around June. Most companies sell garlic under the name garlic sets and don’t mention different varieties. There may be two different varieties sold in Texas. Italian like Late or Pink, and Creole like White Mexican and Early Louisiana. Creole garlic comes earlier than the Italian but doesn’t store as well.

Pesticides:

Garlic itself is a great natural pesticide, but that doesn’t mean that pesticides aren’t used in conventionally grown garlic. It does imply though that they’re one of the least contaminated vegetables.

Geography:

Garlic Scapes have been used for as long as garlic has been around. Garlic came from Middle Eastern, Asian, and Southern & Eastern European cultures. Garlic Scapes and pork fried rice is a popular dish in Hong Kong. Today, garlic is grown in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Garlic is most commonly planted 3 to 6 inches apart. Soils that have high organic content are the best ones since they hold most moisture which garlic requires. You should plant garlic shallow as cultivating deep can decrease the growth and yields. Feed them with fertilizer every two to three weeks. Keep garlic moist and as it matures you should reduce it a little bit. When the top is partly dry and slightly bent, it is usually ready for harvest.

Packaging:

Garlic scapes are usually packaged in a large wooden box tied with around ten garlic scapes tied at the middle point. They are not packaged in any particular way, they are usually just stacked on each other.

Enjoying Garlic Scapes

They can be used as a vegetable or as a herb in raw meal preparations. They are pretty versatile as they can be grilled, sauteed, roasted or chopped, but they can also be added to soups or sauces.

Storage:

Garlic scapes can be stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. They can also be stored in a glass of water for a few days, keep in mind that you should change the water daily.

Cooking:

One of my favorite ways to showcase garlic scapes is in combination with pesto. Pesto will merge perfectly with raw garlic scapes. Lightly toast pine nuts on very low heat and stir them until they begin to brown, around two to three minutes. Afterward, combine those nuts with garlic scapes, lemon juice, zest, pepper, and salt in a bowl to mix them in a food processor. Pour olive oil inside while the ingredients are being processed. Stir in the grated cheese after everything is mixed together and you’re good to go.

Nutrition:

Garlic scapes are very good for vitamins A and C but they’re also a great source of antioxidants. They can also help by decreasing inflammation and are also great against cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.

When Are Garlic Scapes in Season in Texas?