Thursday, June 23, 2016

Garlic Scapes Are NOW In Season!


Garlic Scapes Are NOW In Season!

Garlic scapes are the flower bud of a hardneck garlic plant. The bud is removed in late June to encourage the garlic bulbs to bulk up. Scapes are surprisingly tasty and versatile to use in the kitchen; they are delicious to eat! Scapes taste like garlic and can be used in any recipe that calls for garlic. You can chop them into salads or use them as a topping, as you would use scallions. They can be sauteed lightly and used over pasta or served as a side dish. Excellent in salsa, stir fry, and as a pizza topping. They can also be pickled! An all-time favorite is garlic scape pesto. Super easy recipes below!

Basic Garlic Pesto

1 cup garlic scapes
1/2 to 3/4 cup almonds, cashews, pine nuts, or sunflower meats
3/4 cup olive oil or sunflower oil
1/4 to 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Grind scapes and nuts in a food processor while slowly pouring in the oil. Add salt, pepper and parmesan cheese.  Process until well blended.  You can blend to your desired consistency. Eat fresh or freeze for a special winter treat. Freeze into smaller portions for ease of use.  Serve with chips, crackers, or use pesto as a pasta sauce or in stir fries.

Basil Garlic Pesto

1 cup garlic scapes
1/2 to 3/4 cup almonds, cashews, pine nuts, or sunflower meats
3/4 cup olive oil or sunflower oil
1/4 cup basil leaves
1/4 to 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Follow directions for basic pesto but add basil with scapes and nuts.

We are offering garlic scapes for a limited time!  We ship by priority mail.  Order by visiting our Local Harvest storefront at: http://www.localharvest.org/garlic-scapes-C31951?ul