More like: what can’t you do!
Steam them, blanch them, grill them, Stir-fry them, roast them, saute them, pickle them, make a pesto, make a salad dressing…
My personal favorite way is grilled on the bbq, but if that isn’t an option, a quick steam or saute with some butter and salt and you’ll have to stop me from eating an entire bunch to myself. They are like a garlicky green bean or asparagus stalk.
The flower end is edible, and depending on the scape they can be delicious. If the flower bulb has formed quite a bit, I don’t like the texture as much. If you’re not sure, leave them on for cooking and try it! Worst case, you can remove them after they’re cooked.
You may find the other end to be a little tough. Again, it depends on the scape and how far along they have matured. Like the tough end of an asparagus stalk. Just like asparagus, you can snap or chop the end to where it’s more tender!
They are curly and beautiful, but this can lead them to being wily and hard to chop. Scissors work well. Usually I just cook and eat them whole, but if i want them smaller I take a sharp chef’s knife and cut right through the whole bunch. There’s No trying to wrangle them so they’re even, I just chop right across all the curlys. Maybe two chops like that and boom, smaller pieces. Sure, they’re not all the same size, but they’ll still cook evenly.
GARLIC SCAPE PESTO
Very zesty Pasta sauce! Or it makes a nice spread on toast or sandwiches.
in a food processor combine:
1 cup nuts or seeds (pine nuts, brazil nuts, or walnuts work best I find)
a quick drizzle of oil
blend that up so the nuts are crumbly, then add:
1 cup greens like spinach or kale
1 bunch/cup garlic scapes
juice from a lemon
1/4 cup- 1/2 cup oil
generous pinch salt, pepper to taste
blend, blend, blend. You’ll have to stop and scrape down the sides. Add oil to your own liking, if you want it runnier/smoother but don’t want to add too much oil, you can add a little water at a time.
GARLIC SCAPE SALAD DRESSING
Here’s a nice recipe for a salad dressing. Add water if you like it runnier. Combine the following in a food processor, blender, or magic bullet:
2 garlic scapes, coarsely chopped
2 green onions, coarsely chopped
1 tsp honey, sugar or maple syrup
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 sweet vinegar like red wine, white wine or raspberry vinegar! OR use a little more lemon juice and add a little more sweetness.
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 dash salt
pepper
1/2 cup oil, olive preferred. (Mayo would work too. You could even cut in some sour cream or yogurt)