What to Do with Garlic Cloves (scapes)
What to Do with Garlic Cloves (scapes)
Garlic cloves are tender green shoots that grow on hard neck garlic varieties. They're delicious, versatile, and have a mild garlic flavor. Here are some great ideas for preparing them:
Accurately! Here's a complete and detailed guide on what garlic cloves are, how to prepare them, and many delicious ways to use them in your cooking.
Table of Contents
What to Do with Garlic Cloves (scapes) 1
How to Choose and Store Garlic Stalks. 1
How to Prepare Garlic Stalks: 1
10 Delicious Ways to Use Garlic Cloves. 1
1. Garlic Clove Pesto (most commonly used) 1
3. Quick-Pickled Sliced Garlic. 2
7. Use it as a garlic substitute. 2
10. Add them to soups, broths, and consommés. 3
Can you freeze garlic cloves?. 3
How To Make Garlic Scapes Butter. 3
What are Garlic Cloves?
Garlic cloves are curly green stalks that grow at the top of hard neck garlic plants. These stalks will eventually form flower buds if left unpruned, but growers and gardeners often remove them early to encourage the plant to develop a larger garlic bulb.
Harvested in late spring or early summer, they are a seasonal delicacy prized by chefs and foodies for their unique flavor: mild, from the garlic cloves, and sweet, with a herbaceous note.
How to Choose and Store Garlic Stalks
- Selection: Look for firm, bright green stalks that are free of wilting and blemishes.
- Storage: Store them in a loosely sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. They can last 2 to 3 weeks fresh.
- Freezing: You can also cut them and freeze them raw or store them as part of a pulp or pesto for long-term use.
How to Prepare Garlic Stalks:
- Wash them under cold, running water to remove any soil.
- Cut off the flower bud (the yellow, bulbous tip); it's edible, but tough.
- Depending on how you use them, you can chop them like garlic, chop them like scallions, or leave them whole for roasting.
10 Delicious Ways to Use Garlic Cloves
1. Garlic Clove Pesto (most commonly used)
- Why: It preserves its intense flavor and is a versatile condiment.
- Preparation:
- 1 cup minced garlic cloves
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup toasted nuts (pine nuts, almonds, walnuts)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Use in: Pasta, sandwiches, grilled meats, eggs, or pizza.
- Tip: Freeze in ice cube trays for individual servings.
2. Sautee the Garlic.
- Wherefore: It's simple and enhances its sweetness.
- Preparation:
- Cut the garlic stalks into 1-2 inch pieces.
- Sauté in butter or olive oil for 5-7 minutes.
- Add a pinch of salt and lemon zest.
- Use as: Garnish or for scrambled or sautéed eggs.
3. Quick-Pickled Sliced Garlic
- Wherefore: Firm, crisp, and long-lasting.
- Preparation:
- Cut into jar-sized pieces.
- Cover with a hot brine of vinegar and water (1:1), 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Add pickling spices (mustard seeds, dill, black pepper).
- Store in the refrigerator; ready in 3-5 days.
- Practice: Charcuterie boards, sandwiches, salads.
4. Roasted Sliced Garlic
- Why: Its smoky, charred flavor adds a rich note.
- Preparation:
- Toss the whole stalks with olive oil and salt.
- Grill or bake at 220°C for 10-15 minutes, turning once.
- Use as: Garnish, chopped into salads, or as a topping for grain bowls.
5. Garlic Scallop Purée
- Why: Adds a subtle garlic flavor without being too strong.
- How to:
- Chop or finely dice the scallops.
- Sauté briefly, then add them to hot mashed potatoes with butter or cream.
6. Garlic Scallop Butter
- Why: A quick way to flavor bread, meat, or vegetables.
- In what way :
- Mix softened butter with finely chopped allspice and a pinch of salt.
- Optional: Add lemon zest or herbs.
- Use: Toast, steak, roasted vegetables, or baked potatoes.
7. Use it as a garlic substitute.
- Why: Mild, fresh flavor.
- How:
- Use chopped stalks instead of garlic cloves in stir-fries, soups, pasta sauces, marinades, and more for a variety of delicious recipes.
8. Add them raw to salads.
- Why: Crunchy and flavorful when tender.
- How:
- Slice garlic stalks thinly and add them to green salads, pasta salads, or tossed salads.
- Tip: Use sparingly; raw garlic stalks can be spicy.
9. Add them to egg dishes.
- Why: They go great with eggs.
- How:
- Add them to omelets, frittatas, or scrambled eggs.
- Add them to quiches or egg muffins.
10. Add them to soups, broths, and consommés.
- Why: Layers of aromatic flavor.
- How:
- Sauté chopped garlic stalks as a base for soup flavors.
- Add them whole to simmering broth to infuse, then remove.
Can you freeze garlic cloves?
- With forks! How:
- Raw: Chop and freeze in a freezer-safe bag.
- Puree: Blend with oil (or make pesto) and freeze in small containers or ice cube trays.
- They keep for 6 to 12 months and are ideal for winter cooking.
How To Make Garlic Scapes Butter
Here's a step-by-step guide to making Garlic Butter: a rich, flavorful blended butter that adds a mild garlicky kick to bread, vegetables, meats, and more.
Garlic Butter Recipe
Ingredients:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 2-3 garlic cloves(scapes), finely minced (about 2-3 tablespoons)
- Pinch of salt (optional, if using unsalted butter)
- Additional Ingredients:
- Zest of ½ lemon
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, or chives)
- Ground black pepper or chili flakes
Instructions:
1. Soften the butter.
- Let the butter sit at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes until softened, but not melted.
2. Prepare the garlic cloves.
- Wash and dry the scallions. Trim the tough ends of the florets and chop the stems finely (as finely as possible, like garlic).
3. Mix everything together.
- In a bowl, mash the butter with a fork or use a spatula to mix.
- Add the minced garlic cloves and any optional ingredients (lemon zest is especially good).
- Taste and adjust salt or flavor as needed.
4. Shape and store.
- Pour the mixture onto parchment paper or plastic wrap.
- Shape into a cylinder, twist the ends, and refrigerate until firm (about 1 hour).
- You can also store it in small containers or ice cube trays.
Storage Tips:
- Refrigerator: Up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Up to 3 months. Chop as needed while cooking.
How to use garlic butter:
- Spread on crusty bread, toast, or cornbread.
- Melt on steaks, fish, or grilled chicken.
- Toss with roasted vegetables or potatoes.
- Toss with mashed potatoes or pasta.
- Add to sautéed mushrooms or green beans.
Final Thoughts
Garlic cloves are a short-season ingredient with tons of potential. They are:
- Long-lasting (a byproduct of garlic cultivation)
- Tasty
- Easy to prepare and store
- If you see them at the farmers market, save them! They're a treat that's only available a few weeks a year.
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