Garlic Scapes

 

Garlic Scapes

The harvest of fresh garlic highlights the garden events of June because most garlic sold at local supermarkets is grown in China. For true, local garlic, look to a farmers’ market. In the springtime, garlic growers sell garlic scapes, the twisty, curvy green shoot that springs forth from the garlic plant. The garlic scape must be pinched off to allow the energy for growing to be directed to the bulb of garlic and not used for the production of new seed.

Garlic scapes have a rich garlic flavor and can be used in pesto and other dishes where a strong “green” garlic flavor is desired. Some farmers sell fresh “green” garlic which is different than the scape. Green garlic is the actual garlic plant harvested before the bulb is formed. Fresh, mature garlic bulbs are harvested in June or July and then cured for sale later in the year. When cured, garlic stores well in a cool, dry spot in your kitchen.

 

Source:  Maggie Green, Kentucky Fresh Cookbook

Seasonal Saturday!

This spring try making some meals for your family using ingredients that are seasonal and local to your area:
* Try fiddleheads and parsnips in the Northeast.
* Experiment with asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower down South.
* Look for asparagus, morels, and rhubarb in the Midwest.
* Pick up fava beans, fiddleheads, and rhubarb in the Pacific Northwest.
* Enjoy avocados, artichokes, garlic scapes, and spring onions out West.
* Cook with asparagus, garlic, and pea greens in the Southwest.

With attribution to Maggie Green of the The Kentucky Fresh Cookbook