Garlic scapes are a delightful bonus from growing hardneck garlic-those tender, curly green stalks that emerge in early summer before the garlic bulbs are ready. They bring a mild garlic flavor to dishes and can be used in everything from pestos to stir-fries. But their season is short, so knowing how to store garlic scapes properly is key to enjoying their garlicky goodness long after harvest. Here’s your friendly, comprehensive guide on how to store garlic scapes to keep them fresh, tasty, and ready for your kitchen adventures.
What Are Garlic Scapes?
Before diving into storage tips, it’s helpful to know what garlic scapes are. They are the flower stalks of hardneck garlic plants. Farmers and gardeners snip them off to encourage the plant to focus energy on growing big, flavorful bulbs instead of flowers. These scapes are edible and have a milder, fresher garlic flavor than the bulbs themselves, making them a versatile ingredient in many recipes.
How to Store Garlic Scapes: Top Methods
1. Refrigeration: Keep Them Crisp and Fresh
Garlic scapes refrigerate very well and can last for several weeks when stored properly.
– How to do it: Place unwashed garlic scapes in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel inside to maintain moisture without making them soggy.
– Store the bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge.
– Check the scapes periodically and trim off any dried or discolored tips.
– Alternatively, you can treat them like fresh-cut flowers by placing the scapes upright in a jar of water inside the fridge, changing the water daily. This method keeps them fresh for about two weeks but may dry out the tips.
This simple refrigeration method can keep garlic scapes fresh for up to 4 weeks or even longer if handled carefully.
2. Freezing: Preserve Garlic Scapes for Months
Freezing is the best way to keep garlic scapes for long-term use, extending their life up to a year.
– Preparation: Wash the scapes and remove the flower buds.
– Chop them into ½-inch pieces.
– Optional: Blanch the chopped scapes in boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then cool them in ice water to preserve color and flavor.
– Dry the scapes thoroughly.
– Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
– Transfer frozen scapes to airtight freezer bags or containers.
You can freeze raw chopped scapes, garlic scape pesto, or compound butters made with scapes. Flattening freezer bags before sealing helps save space and makes it easy to break off portions when needed. Frozen garlic scapes can be added directly to soups, stir-fries, and sauces without thawing.
3. Pickling: A Tangy, Garlicky Treat
Pickled garlic scapes are a delicious way to preserve their flavor for months or even a year.
– Use vinegar, salt, and spices to pickle the scapes.
– They can be cold-packed or canned using a water bath.
– Pickled scapes are great on sandwiches, burgers, salads, or charcuterie boards.
This method not only preserves scapes but transforms them into a tangy condiment that adds a unique punch to your dishes.
4. Dehydrating: Make Garlic Scape Powder
Drying garlic scapes is less common but offers a unique way to store their flavor.
– Wash and cut scapes into small pieces.
– Dehydrate at 135°F until completely dry and brittle (about 24 hours).
– Store dried pieces in an airtight jar.
– Grind into powder using a spice grinder or blender.
Garlic scape powder is a milder, sweeter alternative to garlic powder and can be sprinkled on dishes for a subtle garlic flavor.
Tips for Storing Garlic Scapes Successfully
– Always store scapes unwashed when refrigerating to prevent excess moisture that causes spoilage.
– Use perforated plastic bags or keep the bag slightly open to allow airflow while maintaining humidity.
– Regularly inspect stored scapes and remove any that show signs of decay to protect the rest.
– Label freezer bags with the date to keep track of storage time.
– Blanching before freezing helps maintain color and texture but is optional depending on your preference.
Why Store Garlic Scapes?
Garlic scapes have a brief harvest window-usually just a few weeks in early summer. Proper storage lets you enjoy their fresh, mild garlic flavor year-round. Plus, preserving scapes helps reduce food waste and gives you a handy ingredient ready to boost your meals anytime.
Whether you want to toss them fresh into salads, blend into pesto, or add a garlicky kick to winter soups, knowing how to store garlic scapes ensures you never miss out on this seasonal treat.
Enjoy your garlic scapes fresh, frozen, pickled, or powdered-they’re a versatile kitchen gem!
Storing garlic scapes is easy and rewarding. Keep them crisp in the fridge, freeze for long-term use, pickle for tangy snacks, or dry for unique seasoning. Your garlic scapes will be ready whenever inspiration strikes!