Have you see the vegetable that looks like a wild green tangle of green in the farmers market? They are garlic scapes and come into season in the late spring or early summer.
What exactly are garlic scapes? They are the curly tipped, mild, sweet garlicy green “stem or flower-stalk” that grows from hardneck garlic plants. They are harvested before they flower so the garlic plant can channel all its energy into producing the most flavorful garlic bulbs.
Garlic scapes are the perfect example of using the whole plant which I like because it expands our culinary experience.
The scapes look like scallions or chives but are crunchy like string beans or asparagus. They can be eaten raw, cooked, whole or chopped.
Prepping them is easy, trim off the pointy tip and then cut crosswise either into string bean like pieces to add to a stir fry. You can cut them into tiny slices and add to a salad for a raw, crisp, mild, garlic taste. Try brushing the whole scape with a little olive oil and pop on the grill or roast in the oven
Store them wrapped in a moist paper towel in a bag in the refrigerator and use within 7-10 days.
This dish combines the scapes, which are sauteed to mellow and enhance their flavor, with mushrooms and carrots. You experience the scapes fully, as a vegetable.
Whatever way you eat them they are delicious.
Garlic Scapes with Shitake Mushrooms and Carrots
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ghee or coconut oil
- Bunch of garlic scapes (about 16-20), cut into 3 “ pieces
- 6–8 shitake mushrooms, stems removed, sliced (about 2 cups)
- 1 large carrot, julienned (3/4 cup)
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- Celtic sea salt and fresh pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large sauté pan on medium-high heat.
- Add mushrooms and carrots, mix well.
- After about 4 minutes, when mushrooms begin to brown add scapes.
- Sauté until cooked through, and slightly brown, 3-5 minutes. The sharp garlic taste will have mellowed.
- Season with thyme, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
- Serve warm
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Vegetable Side Dish
- Cuisine: Seasonal, Paleo, Vegan, Healthy
Enjoy the recipe and leave a comment below to let me know how you use scapes.
Much love,
Ingrid
