Dehydrated Garlic Scape Powder | How To Use Garlic Scapes
Expand your spice cabinet with dehydrated garlic scape powder! This versatile seasoning adds a mild garlic flavour and a hint of green freshness to just about anything. Toss it on roasted veggies, mix it into marinades, dips, or soups and stews for an extra flavour kick. Plus, garlic scapes are loaded with nutrients, so you’re getting a health boost too. Making your own powder is a simple way to preserve the harvest and enjoy the taste of fresh garlic scapes all year long.
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If you’re as obsessed with garlic as we are, you probably have a ton of garlic scapes that you don’t want to go to waste. These curly green shoots have a unique garlic flavour that’s milder than garlic cloves, making them perfect for a variety of dishes.
Not only do they bring a fresh, garlicky punch to your meals, but they also pack a similar array of health benefits without being overpowering. I love incorporating garlic into almost everything I cook, and having garlic scape powder on hand has been a total game-changer! It’s an easy way to enjoy that subtle garlic taste all year round.
What Are Garlic Scapes?
Garlic scapes are the green, curly flower stalks that grow from the bulbs of hard-neck garlic plants. These shoots are typically harvested in late spring or early summer, before the flowers bloom, to encourage the garlic bulb to grow larger. Garlic scapes have a mild garlic flavour and can be used in a variety of ways. They can be chopped and added to salads, stir-fry, pesto, and soups, or grilled and roasted as a tasty side dish. Scapes are tasty, versatile, and offer a unique way to enjoy garlic beyond the traditional bulb.
How To Harvest Garlic Scapes
Harvesting garlic scapes is simple and benefits both the garlic plant and you. Typically appearing in late spring or early summer, scapes are the central stalks with a bud that will form a flower. When they form one or two loops, use sharp scissors or garden shears to cut them about 1/4 inch above the highest set of leaves. Regularly check and harvest the scapes to encourage the garlic plant to focus on growing larger bulbs.
Store the harvested scapes in the refrigerator, where they can stay fresh for up to three weeks.
Why Garlic Is The Best
Garlic is a nutritional powerhouse, making it a valuable addition to any diet. It boosts the immune system, helping the body ward off illnesses and infections. Garlic also supports heart health by reducing blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels. Its rich antioxidant content protects against oxidative damage, while its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce inflammation. Additionally, garlic can enhance athletic performance, detoxify heavy metals, and even support bone health by increasing estrogen levels in women. Incorporating garlic into meals, whether raw or cooked, can significantly contribute to overall well-being.
Garlic scapes have some similar health benefits but are not as potent as garlic.
What To Do With Garlic Scapes
When you have so many garlic scapes, it’s hard to know what to do with them all. Luckily, they can stay fresh for up to three weeks in the fridge until you figure it out.
Dehydrated garlic scape powder might be the most practical way of preserving garlic scapes. But you can also make:
- Pickled Garlic Scapes
- Roasted or Sautéed Garlic Scapes
- Garlic Scape Pesto
Dehydrator
This is one of those recipes that would be very very difficult without a dehydrator. But, I’m sure it’s possible. I like to use this dehydrator so I can do large batches at once which saves me time in the long run. I’ve been using it for a couple months now with no issue. I love being able to do large batches!
For less hands-on work, I threw the scapes right in and they took around 48 hours. If you want them to dehydrate faster, I would recommend slicing the scapes down the middle and exposing the core. This will allow them to dehydrate faster.
How To Use Dehydrated Garlic Scapes
Dehydrated garlic scape chunks are a perfect addition to any dish that calls for garlic! Use them in stews, dips, stir-fries, pasta sauces, and salads.
Just be sure to fully hydrate the garlic scapes before adding them to your recipe to avoid any crunchy surprises!
Ingredients
Garlic Scapes: You can dehydrate as many garlic scapes that will fit in your dehydrator!
Materials
Colander: For rinsing dust and bug debris off your scapes.
Cutting Board: For cutting up your scapes.
Sharp Knife: For cutting up your scapes.
Dehydrator: For dehydrating your scapes. Get the one I use here.
How To Make Dehydrated Garlic Scape Powder
Harvest and Prep:
Harvest as many garlic scapes as you have available. Rinse the scapes thoroughly under cold water. Set aside the amount of scapes that will fit in your dehydrator and store any extras in the fridge.
Trimming and Chopping:
Remove the grassy tip and woody end of each garlic scape. Chop the scapes into 1-2 inch pieces. Smaller pieces will dehydrate faster, but may take longer to chop.
Dehydrating:
Arrange the chopped scapes onto your dehydrator trays in a single layer. Continue chopping and arranging until all trays are full. Set your dehydrator to 65°C (140°F) and dehydrate for 24-48 hours, or until the scapes are completely dry and crispy.
Cooling and Grinding:
Once the scapes are fully dehydrated, allow them to cool down completely. Transfer the cooled scapes to a blender and blend until a fine powder is achieved.
Storing:
Store the garlic scape powder in an airtight container. Use it as you would any other spice to add a burst of garlic flavour to your dishes!
Notes
Sort through your dry and crispy scapes, you may find some soft and bendy ones that didn’t dehydrate properly.
Depending on the strength of your blender, you made have garlic scape chunks in your powder. I personally don’t mind these, they add a nice pop of colour to whatever I’m using the powder for.
Watch Me Dehydrate These!
Dehydrated Garlic Scape Powder
Ingredients
- Garlic Scapes
Instructions
Harvest and Prep:
- Harvest as many garlic scapes as you have available. Rinse the scapes thoroughly under cold water. Set aside the amount of scapes that will fit in your dehydrator and store any extras in the fridge.
Trimming and Chopping:
- Remove the grassy tip and woody end of each garlic scape. Chop the scapes into 1-2 inch pieces. Smaller pieces will dehydrate faster, but may take longer to chop.
Dehydrating:
- Arrange the chopped scapes onto your dehydrator trays in a single layer. Continue chopping and arranging until all trays are full. Set your dehydrator to 65°C (140°F) and dehydrate for 24-48 hours, or until the scapes are completely dry and crispy.
Cooling and Grinding:
- Once the scapes are fully dehydrated, allow them to cool down completely. Transfer the cooled scapes to a blender and blend until a fine powder is achieved.
Storing:
- Store the garlic scape powder in an airtight container. Use it as you would any other spice to add a burst of garlic flavour to your dishes!
Notes
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