Let’s Talk Scapes…Garlic Scapes
Garlic 101
Before we talk scapes, we should talk a little garlic. For anyone unfamiliar with the garlic growing process, the season really starts in mid to late fall. (Here in North Central Georgia, we can plant as late as November.) The process is long and takes patience. While the over-winter growth is slow, once the spring temperatures return, garlic growth generally goes into overdrive. Generally, garlic takes between 230-270 days to mature, we do have an early garlic treat as we get deeper into spring.
It’s all in the Neck
While there are several cultivars, garlic can be divided into two distinct subspecies, hardneck and softneck garlic. Historically, hardneck garlic is grown in the north while softneck garlic grows better in the south. However, we have had success growing both varieties here in Hickory Flat, Georgia.
The softneck garlic is characterized by having a softer neck of the plant. It makes it much easier to braid. Generally speaking, softneck garlic stored better than hardneck garlic. (We’ve stored some as long as 10 months.) Some examples of softneck garlic include: Inchellium Red, Susanville, Nootka Rose and Lorz Italian.
A Scape emerges from a Chesnook Red garlic plant. (Also pictured is part of our pest control staff. A green tree frog.)
Hardneck garlic has a seed stalk that comes through the center of the plant. We call this a scape. If it is allowed to grow, it will flower and produce bulbils (seeds) which can be planted and depending on the variety, (and care given), in 2-5 years, produce a new garlic bulb suitable for consumption. However, the scape can be removed to help increase bulb size. (The thought process is that the plant uses more energy to focus on the bulb since the flower stalk is removed.) Once the scape is removed the garlic generally has about 4-6 weeks left until it’s ready to harvest. Some examples of hardneck garlic include: Music, Georgian Crystal, Chesnook Red
We have not done any testing to verify this long-standing practice, but we do know that the scapes certainly add value in the kitchen.
How do you use scapes?
Scapes have a mild garlic flavor when they are taken from the plant before they straighten up. (Scapes start growing out of the center of the stalk and then curl towards the ground before they either corkscrew or loop towards the sky and straighten out.)
We have found that scapes can pair well with most anything you’d use garlic or green onions with. They can by sautéed, grilled, diced, added to mashed potatoes, placed on pizzas, and we’ve even seen garlic scape pesto recipes.
Garlic Scapes from Music Garlic. Scapes grow from the center of Hardneck garlic plants
Storing Scapes
Scapes keep 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator and can also be frozen as well. Scapes are only available for about 3-4 weeks in late May and early June her in Hickory Flat. We will have a limited amount of scapes for sell later this month. Please let us know if you have any questions or are interested in ordering scapes.