How to Prepare Garlic Scapes + 7 Tasty Recipes

Even if you don't spend a lot of time cooking in the kitchen, you've probably still used garlic in your meals at some point. Garlic has become such a staple in cooking that it's oftentimes the most popular seasoning, right after salt and pepper.

And if you find yourself using double, even triple the amount of garlic than what's called for in a recipe, it's fair to say that you'll probably enjoy the taste of garlic scapes, too!

Our local produce feature is fresh garlic scapes, and if you are curious about them but aren't sure how to use them, we've put together a list of some of our favorite recipes as well as tips for how to prepare them.

How To Prepare Garlic Scapes

If you aren't familiar with garlic scapes, they are the stalks that grow from the bulbs of hardneck garlic plants. Oftentimes they begin to shoot up in late spring/early summer, and if they are left unharvested, they bloom flowers as the garlic matures.

If you've come across the garlic scapes in our produce department and you aren't sure how to use them, here are a few preparation and preservation methods to consider.

Pasta With Garlic Scape Pesto

One of the best ways to prepare garlic scapes for semi-long term storage is to blend them up into a pesto.

Though this recipe doesn't call for basil if you really enjoy that flavor in your homemade pesto, feel free to add it in.

Recipe and photo adapted from Epicurious

Potato Salad with Garlic Scapes, Snap Peas, and Scallions

Garlic is a wonderful addition to all sorts of potato-based sides, including potato salad.Fresh mint and parsley add an herby element to balance out the garlicky flavor.

Recipe and photo adapted from Fine Cooking

Savory Grilled Garlic Scapes

If you want to keep it simple, these grilled garlic scapes would pair well with a grilled steak or chicken.

Recipe and photo adapted from Food52

Grilled Naan Bread With Indian Garlic Scape Chutney

Serve this stuffed naan alongside some homemade butter chicken or tikka masala.

If you don't want to make the naan from scratch, you could always grab some pre-made naan and top if with the chutney rather than stuffing it.

Recipe and photo adapted from Feasting at Home

Pan-Seared Bass with Garlic Scape Salmoriglio

Garlic and herbs balance out freshly caught sea bass in this traditional Southern Italian sauce recipe.

If you don't have any fresh bass on hand, cod would also work well in this recipe.

Recipe and photo adapted from Food and Wine

Spring Egg Drop Soup

Garlic scapes aren't the center of attention in this soup, but when they're paired with spring onions and garden-fresh carrots, they create a flavor that's very reminiscent of summer.

Recipe and photo adapted from Bon Appetit

Clams Steamed with Garlic Scapes

Nothing is more quintessentially Northwest than a big bowl of fresh clams. And of course, lots of butter and garlic definitely take the flavor to the next level. Make sure to pair it with some Breadfarm bread for soaking up all that buttery, clammy goodness!

Recipe and photo adapted from Food52