Garlic Scape Storage: A Year-Long Guide to Preparation, Blanching, and Freezing
Garlic Scape 1 Year Storage: Preparation, Trimming, Blanching, and Freezing Methods
Learn how to store fresh garlic scapes for up to a year with this detailed guide. We cover everything from preparation and trimming to blanching and freezing for long-term preservation. Enjoy the crisp, fresh flavor of garlic scapes anytime!
Ingredients
- Garlic scapes
- 2 Tbsp vinegar (for washing garlic scapes)
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt (for blanching garlic scapes)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
I received a whole box of garlic scapes! After sharing some with neighbors, I still have plenty left, so I’m going to freeze them to preserve their freshness. This method will allow you to enjoy delicious garlic scapes all year round.
Step 2
Garlic scapes can sometimes be a bit wilted a few days after harvest. In this case, it’s best to trim off the tips where the seeds start to form. This will result in a cleaner appearance and a more pleasant texture when stored.
Step 3
It’s recommended to cut the garlic scapes into pieces about 4-5 cm (1.5-2 inches) long. I prefer using scissors for this task. If you use a knife on a cutting board, the ends tend to get very small and messy, leading to waste. While it might take a little extra effort, cutting each piece with scissors ensures minimal waste and uniform lengths, making storage much easier.
Step 4
Once trimmed, rinse the garlic scapes thoroughly under running water multiple times to remove any dirt or debris. Then, soak them in a mixture of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar for about 10 minutes. Soaking in vinegar helps to eliminate any strong odors and keeps the scapes fresh. After soaking, drain them well in a colander.
Step 5
Now it’s time to blanch the garlic scapes. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, adding 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. Adding salt not only helps to maintain the vibrant green color of the scapes but also contributes to their crisp texture.
Step 6
Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the drained garlic scapes and blanch for just 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy. Watch the scapes closely; they should turn a bright green. Adjust the blanching time based on the condition of your scapes.
Step 7
Immediately after blanching, rinse the garlic scapes under cold running water. This stops the cooking process, preventing them from becoming overcooked by residual heat and maintaining their crispness. After rinsing, drain them thoroughly in a colander.
Step 8
Once most of the water has drained from the garlic scapes, portion them into resealable freezer bags. Divide them into amounts that you would typically use in a single recipe. Freezing them in these convenient portions makes them easy to grab and use whenever you need them.
Step 9
Place the sealed bags of garlic scapes in the freezer for about 3-4 hours, or until they are partially frozen. Once they’ve firmed up slightly, take them out and gently tap the bags to separate the scapes. This prevents them from freezing into one solid block. Return them to the freezer. This step ensures that the garlic scapes won’t clump together and can be easily separated when you take them out to cook.
Step 10
This concludes our guide on how to prepare, blanch, and freeze garlic scapes for long-term storage. As you can see, it’s a relatively simple and easy process! Now you can enjoy cooking with delicious garlic scapes anytime.
