Garlic scapes are one of summer’s best-kept secrets. These vibrant green, spiral-shaped stalks are the flowering stems of hardneck garlic plants, trimmed to encourage the garlic bulb to grow larger.
With a mild garlicky flavor that’s more sweet and herbaceous than pungent, garlic scapes are incredibly versatile. They can be chopped and sautéed like scallions, blitzed into a vibrant pesto, grilled whole for a smoky side dish, or even pickled. Their slightly crisp texture and bright flavor make them a standout in stir-fries, omelets, and pastas.
Beyond the kitchen, they’re a favorite at farmers’ markets for their whimsical shape and short season. Typically harvested in late spring to early summer, garlic scapes are a fleeting treasure—one of those ingredients that reminds us to savor the season while it lasts.
This simple recipe for stir fried garlic scapes is elevated with a sweet and savory Asian sauce.
Stir Fried Garlic Scapes
3 cups garlic scapes, cut into 2-inch long pieces
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. rice wine vinegar
2 tsp. brown sugar
½ tsp. red pepper flakes
½ tsp. toasted white sesame seeds
Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Wait until the pan gets hot and then sauté the garlic scapes until they turn a bright green color. After about 4 to 5 minutes, taste one to see if it’s tender enough to bite through. It should still have a crunchy texture. Depending on how thick the stems are, you may need to sauté them some more.
Mix all the ingredients together for the sauce in a small bowl. Once the stems are cooked through, add the sauce and stir-fry it together for one minute or until the sauce coats the garlic scapes. Serve immediately.
Jill Rozier, Lake Tahoe Markets www.LakeTahoeMarkets.com