Garlic Scapes

This is a photo of garlic and if you look closely at the center of the photo you will see a curly bit of stem with a still-encased flower bulb. That is called a garlic scape.

If you look at the bottom left portion you will see another scape.

Only hardnecked garlic makes scapes; softneck garlic does not. When the garlic forms scapes, you should cut them off so that the plant continues to put its energy into forming a nice large bulb beneath the soil rather than trying to produce a large healthy flower.

Scapes can be stir-fried, steamed or sauteed in butter, or they can be used to make pesto which I am assured is delicious on toast. We plan to make home made bread and dip it into the pesto. I can't wait.