Garlic scapes are the curly, green flower stalks that grow from hardneck garlic plants. They have a mild garlic flavor and tender texture, making them a tasty seasonal vegetable to add to your recipes in early summer. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook garlic scapes sauteed properly at home.
1. How To Cook Garlic Scapes
Ingredients
- 1 lb garlic scapes, tough ends trimmed, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Spatula
- Tongs
Instructions
Step 1: Heat the olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted and starts to sizzle. Make sure not to let the butter brown or burn.
Step 2: When the oil and butter are hot, add the garlic scapes pieces to the skillet in a single layer, leaving some space between them. You can blanch the scapes briefly before sautéing to help them retain their vibrant green color.
Step 3: Sauté the garlic scapes for about 5 minutes, tossing them gently with tongs every 60-90 seconds or so.
Step 4: After 5 minutes, sprinkle salt and pepper over the sautéed garlic scapes to taste. Add a squeeze of lemon juice for some brightness. Toss to evenly coat the scapes with seasoning.
Step 5: Taste a piece of garlic scape and adjust the salt, pepper or lemon juice if needed. Sauté for 1-2 minutes more until seasoned as desired.
Step 6: Once seasoned and sautéed, remove the garlic scapes from the heat. You can serve them warm or at room temperature. They pair well with grilled meats, fish and vegetables. They also make flavorful additions to pasta, pizza, frittatas, sandwiches and grain bowls.
Sautéing fresh garlic scapes takes just minutes and brings out their best flavors. Their garlicky, oniony taste adds a nice kick to many dishes. I hope that after reading this article, you know how to cook garlic scapes sauteed perfectly at home. Good luck