What is a Garlic Scape?

by Feels Like Home Blog™ on July 13, 2009

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I’ve posted a couple of recipes lately in which I used garlic scapes.

I’ve gotten emails.

Garlic scapes? WHAT are garlic scapes? Where do I buy them? Help!

garlic scapesI have to be honest. I never heard of garlic scapes before they came in our box from our CSA.

But they came several weeks in a row, so I had to figure out what to do with them.

Apparently, garlic scapes are the shoots that garlic bulbs send up as they’re growing. Garlic bulbs want to become garlic plants, so they send up green things like onions do.

Farmers harvest these shoots so that the plant uses its energy to make a bigger bulb instead of making a bigger plant. I get this. That’s how plants work.

Instead of throwing the sprouts in the compost pile, our farmers send them out in the CSA boxes. I’ve heard you can also buy them at some farmer’s markets or directly from farmers who grow garlic.

Garlic scapes definitely taste like garlic, but the flavor is very mild. They’re like garlic essence, without the bite you back quality of a clove of garlic.

If you love garlic like I do or if you like garlic but hate to smell for days, you should definitely look for garlic scapes.

And then come back and tell me about it.

To inspire you, I found a few recipes featuring garlic scapes:

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{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }

Melissa July 13, 2009 at 3:42 pm

I’d never heard of garlic scapes, either. I’ve grown garlic a few times, but I just let the tops grow. I’ll have to try clipping them off to use.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Cucumber Salad =-.

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Melissa July 13, 2009 at 10:42 am

I’d never heard of garlic scapes, either. I’ve grown garlic a few times, but I just let the tops grow. I’ll have to try clipping them off to use.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Cucumber Salad =-.

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TooManyHats July 13, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Never heard of them. Now I am going to have to look for them. Thanks for the lesson.
.-= TooManyHats´s last blog ..Recipe Swap 7/13/09 =-.

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TooManyHats July 13, 2009 at 12:18 pm

Never heard of them. Now I am going to have to look for them. Thanks for the lesson.
.-= TooManyHats´s last blog ..Recipe Swap 7/13/09 =-.

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Nicole Feliciano July 13, 2009 at 5:29 pm

Thanks for this info. I see these at the farmer’s market and will try them.
.-= Nicole Feliciano´s last blog ..Kickboard USA Scooter Giveaway =-.

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Nicole Feliciano July 13, 2009 at 12:29 pm

Thanks for this info. I see these at the farmer’s market and will try them.
.-= Nicole Feliciano´s last blog ..Kickboard USA Scooter Giveaway =-.

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anissa July 13, 2009 at 3:50 pm

I’ve never heard of that! Sounds pretty good because I love to cook with garlic. Thanks for sharing.
.-= anissa´s last blog ..Toddler Virtue Tees Reviews =-.

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Robyns Online World July 13, 2009 at 4:13 pm

I had never heard of them either – but heck they taste like garlic so they must be good! I will be on the lookout for them when I get to a farmer’s market.
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..What a Man! =-.

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Harriet July 13, 2009 at 9:50 pm

I didn’t know you could actually use those. hhhhmmmmmm. thanks

http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/07/monday-crazy-questions-and-recipe-swap_12.html
.-= Harriet´s last blog ..THE JULY COMMENT CHALLENGE!!!!!! =-.

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Harriet July 13, 2009 at 4:50 pm

I didn’t know you could actually use those. hhhhmmmmmm. thanks

http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/07/monday-crazy-questions-and-recipe-swap_12.html
.-= Harriet´s last blog ..THE JULY COMMENT CHALLENGE!!!!!! =-.

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rachel-asouthernfairytale July 13, 2009 at 10:22 pm

How neat!!! I had never heard of these before and they sound great for lovers of Garlic!

Thanks for sharing this info!!!

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rachel-asouthernfairytale July 13, 2009 at 5:22 pm

How neat!!! I had never heard of these before and they sound great for lovers of Garlic!

Thanks for sharing this info!!!

Reply

Ann Kroeker July 13, 2009 at 11:09 pm

Ya learn something new every day! Thanks for educating us!
.-= Ann Kroeker´s last blog ..Make-Do Mondays: Make-Do Mousepad =-.

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Ann Kroeker July 13, 2009 at 6:09 pm

Ya learn something new every day! Thanks for educating us!
.-= Ann Kroeker´s last blog ..Make-Do Mondays: Make-Do Mousepad =-.

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anissa July 13, 2009 at 8:50 pm

I’ve never heard of that! Sounds pretty good because I love to cook with garlic. Thanks for sharing.
.-= anissa´s last blog ..Toddler Virtue Tees Reviews =-.

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Robyn's Online World July 13, 2009 at 9:13 pm

I had never heard of them either – but heck they taste like garlic so they must be good! I will be on the lookout for them when I get to a farmer’s market.
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..What a Man! =-.

Reply

angie July 14, 2009 at 2:33 am

think I learned something else off your blog thanks

Reply

angie July 13, 2009 at 9:33 pm

think I learned something else off your blog thanks

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Piera-Jolly Mom July 14, 2009 at 6:41 am

I’d never heard of them either. Thanks for letting us know! I will look for them!
.-= Piera-Jolly Mom´s last blog ..Back to School: Dorm Room Makeovers on a Budget =-.

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Piera-Jolly Mom July 14, 2009 at 1:41 am

I’d never heard of them either. Thanks for letting us know! I will look for them!
.-= Piera-Jolly Mom´s last blog ..Back to School: Dorm Room Makeovers on a Budget =-.

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Anonymous July 14, 2009 at 1:08 pm

We love scapes! We toss them in olive oil and put them on the BBQ. Delicious!
.-= Annie @ PhD in Parenting´s last blog ..Learning and Nodding: Raising My Boychick =-.

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Annie @ PhD in Parenting July 14, 2009 at 8:08 am

We love scapes! We toss them in olive oil and put them on the BBQ. Delicious!
.-= Annie @ PhD in Parenting´s last blog ..Learning and Nodding: Raising My Boychick =-.

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Bonnie July 14, 2009 at 2:07 pm

I have never heard of garlic scapes either. Good to know if I ever try growing them.
.-= Bonnie´s last blog ..Tackle It Tuesday =-.

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Bonnie July 14, 2009 at 9:07 am

I have never heard of garlic scapes either. Good to know if I ever try growing them.
.-= Bonnie´s last blog ..Tackle It Tuesday =-.

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Anonymous July 14, 2009 at 3:59 pm

Yum! I need to keep my eyes out for these and see if I can pick some up to try out.
.-= mub´s last blog ..No Roll Pie Crust =-.

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mub July 14, 2009 at 10:59 am

Yum! I need to keep my eyes out for these and see if I can pick some up to try out.
.-= mub´s last blog ..No Roll Pie Crust =-.

Reply

Wendy July 14, 2009 at 11:10 am

I love Garlic, I am actually growing some now. Thanks for sharing.
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..Factory Outlets in Pa Dutch Country =-.

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Jenna @ Newlyweds July 14, 2009 at 1:34 pm

I’ve never grown garlic, but I do grow shallots and we cut the greens off the top and use them all the time, delicious!! Thank for sharing.
.-= Jenna @ Newlyweds´s last blog ..Multiples and More Interview =-.

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Lisa@Blessedwithgrace July 14, 2009 at 8:26 pm

Thanks for the recipe and sharing your summer veggie tips with us. I am glad you joined us for TMTT this week.
.-= Lisa@Blessedwithgrace´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday….Black Bean Salad =-.

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Lisa@Blessedwithgrace July 14, 2009 at 3:26 pm

Thanks for the recipe and sharing your summer veggie tips with us. I am glad you joined us for TMTT this week.
.-= Lisa@Blessedwithgrace´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday….Black Bean Salad =-.

Reply

Wendy July 14, 2009 at 4:10 pm

I love Garlic, I am actually growing some now. Thanks for sharing.
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..Factory Outlets in Pa Dutch Country =-.

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Jenna @ Newlyweds July 14, 2009 at 6:34 pm

I’ve never grown garlic, but I do grow shallots and we cut the greens off the top and use them all the time, delicious!! Thank for sharing.
.-= Jenna @ Newlyweds´s last blog ..Multiples and More Interview =-.

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renee @ FIMBY July 15, 2009 at 11:19 am

I love those little scrapes and I too had never heard of them before they arrived in our csa share.
.-= renee @ FIMBY´s last blog ..Oh my. It’s so hot and dry =-.

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renee @ FIMBY July 15, 2009 at 6:19 am

I love those little scrapes and I too had never heard of them before they arrived in our csa share.
.-= renee @ FIMBY´s last blog ..Oh my. It’s so hot and dry =-.

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Erin @ Closing Time July 15, 2009 at 8:04 am

Wow! I’ve never heard of or seen these before. I’ll have to keep an eye out for them, and I’m looking forward to trying your recipes!
.-= Erin @ Closing Time´s last blog ..WFMW: Sensitive Skin Products That Work! =-.

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melinda@mamabearscubhouse July 15, 2009 at 3:19 pm

i just learned a lot. thank you:)
love garlic!!

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melinda@mamabearscubhouse July 15, 2009 at 10:19 am

i just learned a lot. thank you:)
love garlic!!

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Jenny July 15, 2009 at 10:33 am

are those the same as the cloves? Or do they taste different?
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..A Whole New Start =-.

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Erin @ Closing Time July 15, 2009 at 1:04 pm

Wow! I’ve never heard of or seen these before. I’ll have to keep an eye out for them, and I’m looking forward to trying your recipes!
.-= Erin @ Closing Time´s last blog ..WFMW: Sensitive Skin Products That Work! =-.

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niki July 15, 2009 at 2:28 pm

Wow, you learn something new every day! I have never ever heard of these!

:)
.-= niki´s last blog ..WFMW…Frugal or Free Pet Toys =-.

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Tara July 15, 2009 at 7:56 pm

Jenny – The taste is very similar to the cloves, but when it’s cooked, it is much more mild. I’ve heard that they’re nasty when raw. :)

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Tara July 15, 2009 at 2:56 pm

Jenny – The taste is very similar to the cloves, but when it’s cooked, it is much more mild. I’ve heard that they’re nasty when raw. :)

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Jenny July 15, 2009 at 3:33 pm

are those the same as the cloves? Or do they taste different?
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..A Whole New Start =-.

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niki July 15, 2009 at 7:28 pm

Wow, you learn something new every day! I have never ever heard of these!

:)
.-= niki´s last blog ..WFMW…Frugal or Free Pet Toys =-.

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Audrey July 16, 2009 at 8:07 pm

I’ve never heard of these before. I love cooking with garlic. I’ll have to see if there’s a place I can get these here locally
.-= Audrey´s last blog ..Slow Cooking Thursday =-.

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Audrey July 16, 2009 at 3:07 pm

I’ve never heard of these before. I love cooking with garlic. I’ll have to see if there’s a place I can get these here locally
.-= Audrey´s last blog ..Slow Cooking Thursday =-.

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freeloader80 November 25, 2009 at 7:31 am

i winder how similar they taste to cloves? – grow garlic at home

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Christina Holland-Radvon June 7, 2011 at 9:26 pm

I just got my first batch of garlic scapes in my CSA share yesterday. I was like…”WTH is a garlic scape?!” I just diced some up and put it in my chicken salad sandwich (along with some CSA-provided red bib lettuce) for lunch. It was awesome! I’m a scape convert!

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Tara @ Feels Like Home June 7, 2011 at 10:52 pm

Yes! Aren’t they great? I really like them a lot, too.

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Anna November 24, 2011 at 5:01 am

i don’t know what a scape is, can you help me in german please?

Reply

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