This grilled garlic scapes recipe adds a layer of sweet smoky char to the mild garlicky flavor, and then enhances it further with a simple dusting of sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
Love garlic? Then you will love the light garlic flavor of the seasonal garlic scapes.
Grilling is such an easy way to prepare garlic scapes that allows the natural flavor to shine. This is probably my favorite way to enjoy garlic scapes.
Grilled garlic scapes make a great side dish right off the grill. Simply pile the wily grilled garlic scapes on a plate, dust with sea salt and fresh-ground pepper, and serve as a side dish to any meal.
Grilled garlic scapes also combine well with other grilled seasonal vegetables such as asparagus, carrots, and potatoes.
I also enjoy using grilled garlic scapes as a pizza topping.
What are Garlic Scapes?
A garlic scape is the flower stalk hardneck garlic produces a few weeks before the bulb is ready to harvest. The scape is trimmed off the plant to allow the bulb to develop. The garlic scape has a softer and less pungent garlicky flavor than garlic cloves.
Garlic scapes are only available for a limited time from late spring to early summer. If you don’t grow your own garlic, look for scapes at your local farmers’ market.
How to Grill Garlic Scapes
In this grilled garlic scape recipe, a sweet smoky char enhances the simple mild garlicky flavor of the garlic scape.
Step 1: Prepare the garlic scapes
Rinse the garlic scapes under clean running water. Trim the ends and tips if they are brown.
If you find the lower stems ends to be fibrous, gently bend each stalk until it snaps. Each scape will snap off right above the spot where it turns woody. Let the garlic scapes air dry on a clean kitchen towel.
Save the trimmings in the freezer for chicken stock.
Step 2: Heat up the grill
Preheat the grill to medium heat, about 425˚F. Clean the grates well.
Step 3: Lightly coat the garlic scapes in oil
Place the garlic scapes in a large bowl. Drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil and toss with your hands until the scapes are evenly coated with the oil.
Step 4: Grill the garlic scapes
Place the prepared garlic scapes on the hot grill and cook until well charred, and then flip to grill the opposite side.
Garlic scapes are finished cooking when they are slightly charred on the outside and tender on the inside, about 8 minutes.
Step 5: Serve the garlic scapes warm
Remove the garlic scapes from the grill and pile the wily grilled garlic scapes on a plate, dust with sea salt and fresh ground pepper, and serve as a side dish to any meal.
Grilled Garlic Scapes
Ingredients
- 1 pound garlic scapes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the garlic scapes under clean running water. Trim the brown ends, woody stalks, and dry tips. Save the trimmings in the freezer for chicken stock.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat, about 425˚F. Clean the grates well.
- Place the garlic scapes in a large bowl. Drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil and toss with your hands until the scapes are evenly coated with the oil.
- Toss the prepared garlic scapes on the hot grate and grill until they are well charred. Flip and grill the opposite side.
- Garlic scapes are finished cooking when they are crispy and slightly charred on the outside and tender on the inside, about 8 minutes.
- Remove the garlic scapes from the grill and pile on a plate, dust with sea salt and fresh ground pepper, and serve as a side dish to any meal.
Nutrition
You May Also Like:
- Pickled Garlic Scapes
- 10 Ways to Enjoy Garlic Scapes
- How to Harvest Garlic Scapes
- How to Plant Garlic in Fall
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Whether you are new to growing your own food or have been growing a vegetable garden for years, you will benefit from some planning each year. You will find everything you need to organize and plan your vegetable garden in my PDF eBook, Grow a Good Life Guide to Planning Your Vegetable Garden.
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