Garlic Scapes and Kale

Garlic grows basically wild in our yard.   It pops up in the flower bed off the patio.   It peeks up around the beehives.   It is in the garden.   Basically, it’s everywhere.

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Garlic and weeds (or garlic as weeds).

I knew that the scapes (the curly part that holds an emerging seed pod) were edible but I I confused “garlic scapes” with “garlic ramps.”   When I tried to research by googling “ramps,” I thought, “That’s not what I have!”

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Garlic Scapes

 

We traveled to Iowa to see family recently and accompanied them to their farmer’s market.   Behold, but there was a vendor selling scapes.   I finally understood.  As soon as we got home, my garlic scapes were ready to be harvested.

This is the very first thing I have ever made with our garlic scapes.

I have to say, The Hubs was pretty skeptical.

Garlic Scapes and Kale

2 T. olive oil
1 c. garlic scapes, chopped as desired
4 c. curly kale, chopped
salt and pepper
1-2 T. vinegar

Heat olive oil in a large pan or wok.   Add scapes and stir until scapes begin to get a bit of color but are not limp.   Add kale and stir until kale has wilted.   Season with salt and pepper.   Before removing from heat, add vinegar and toss to combine.

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Garlic Scapes & Kale

 

Serve warm as a side.

Again, this is not really a salad; however, I tossed the leftovers with one bundle of cooked soba noodles with just a splash of soy sauce for a cold noodle dish the next day.

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Garlic Scapes and Kale with Cold Soba Noodles

 

It was delicious!

If you are not a fan of garlic and are afraid that scapes might be too biting for your tastes, think again.   The sauteed scapes added just a hint of garlic.

I recently made garlic scape pesto (recipe found here) and I loved it.  I used more scapes than basil but I probably ended up adding a bit more herbs than this recipe called for (about 1/4 cup).

I am harvesting all the garlic scapes this year.  My next recipe invention will be to toss them into some spaghetti sauce.   I have read that they freeze well, too.   Harvesting them will also allow for all the plant’s energy to go to the garlic bulb instead of making large seed heads.

I am wondering if I will have as much rambunctious garlic next year though if I am clipping all the immature seed heads for garlic scape dishes.

Before I sign off today, I want to highlight another new gadget that found it’s way into the EE kitchen and garden:

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Garden Colander and Tote

This is the greatest invention ever.   I found it recently on Zulily but you can see more about it here.  You can harvest your vegetables from the garden, hose them off outside or bring the entire tote to the kitchen sink to clean.   I LOVE this.   I bought one for mom for Mother’s Day and I wish I had bought four more before Zulily sold out.  (Allegedly, it’s dishwasher safe too but that would have to be one mighty large dishwasher.)

Enjoy your own gardens this summer and I wish you lots of harvests.

Again, today’s post was salad-like.  I will get back to my Salad-a-Day theme soon.  (I hope.)

What’s your favorite garlic scape recipe?  Or, if you are unfamiliar with scapes, what’s your favorite garlic recipe?  ( I will need lots of these when the garlic harvest hits!)

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