Garlic Scapes- What are They & How to Use Them
What are Garlic Scapes?
Garlic scapes are the long curly green shoots, the tender stems and flower bud of a hard neck garlic plant that emerge from the top of garlic plants, and are harvested before they flower to encourage larger bulb growth. As they grow they tend to curl or twist like a corkscrew in their early stages, before straightening out as the flower head prepares to bloom. Producing this seed is one way the garlic propagates. By removing the scapes, this will encourage the plant to direct its energy towards bulb production instead of flowering and seed production, resulting in larger, healthier garlic bulbs.
How to Incorporate Garlic Into Your Diet?
I’ve always been a huge fan of growing garlic in my garden at home. I’ve grown garlic for many years now and each spring I patiently wait as they emerge in spring and pretty much take care of themselves until harvest in early summer.
Freshly harvested garlic scape are edible, including the flower bulb at the end. The taste is grassy, with a mild garlic flavor which mellows out and turns sweet to the taste when cooked.
They’re fantastic when sauteed or stir-fried in vegetable or pasta dishes, but they can also be blended into dips, for making pesto, or just simply added to soups or stews.
Health Benefits
Garlic scapes are high in fiber and contain both Vitamin C, & Vitamin A. Also rich in antioxidants, garlic scapes are a rich source of vitamin B6, and minerals such as calcium, manganese and selenium vital for various bodily functions such as bone health, antioxidant defense, and immune function.
Studies have shown that “garlic scapes positively affect the apoprotein E level, which increases cholesterol metabolism and reduces cardiovascular disease risk. The higher dosage of garlic scapes produced a significantly higher apoprotein E, an essential contribution to cholesterol reduction.”
So this year, slowly introduce garlic into your diet and always observe how you feel. Try adding garlic scapes to your recipes. You just may like it.
Like always, Smell, Taste, Enjoy. Be Mindful of the Food You Eat!
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