Garlic Scapes

Preparation:

To prepare scapes for cooking, first wash them and trim off the tough, pale bottom stem and the pointy top bud. Scapes can sometimes be woody, so a quick blanching (boiling in salted water for 60 seconds) can help tenderize them.

Because they are milder than standard garlic cloves, you can treat them as a vegetable in addition to an aromatic. Common uses include:

Grilled: Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and grill them until lightly charred.

Pesto: Puree them in a food processor with pine nuts, parmesan, lemon juice, and olive oil for a vibrant, garlicky pesto.

Sautéed: Chop them into small rounds and use them in stir-fries, egg scrambles, or as a flavorful base for soups and stews.