The Great Scape

When you grow garlic, you can harvest more than bulbs and cloves. In late June the garlic plants begin to flower, sending up delicate curly ‘scapes’ that will eventually burst into a frilly white flower ball. Most gardeners clip these scapes when they first appear to avoid having the plant divert energy away from the bulb building, resulting in bigger bulbs at harvest (in late July). When clipped early these flower stems are tender and can be put into almost any dish to add a delicate garlic note with the texture of a green bean. They are also delicious on their own, braised in a little wine or stock, or stir fried.