Garlic scapes can be stored and preserved in several effective ways depending on how long you want to keep them.
Short-term storage
- Place garlic scapes in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel and store them in the refrigerator's vegetable drawer. They can last from two weeks up to six weeks this way.
- Another short-term method is to store the cut scapes in a mason jar with water like cut flowers and change the water daily to keep them fresh for several days.
Long-term preservation methods
- Freezing: Blanch or roast the scapes, then freeze them in freezer-safe bags or containers. Alternatively, chop and place them in ice cube trays with olive oil, freeze, then store the cubes in bags.
- Dehydrating: Cut scapes into small pieces and dehydrate them to store long term. These can also be ground into garlic scape powder to use like garlic powder.
- Pickling: Use an approved pickling process with hot brine and seal in jars for shelf-stable storage.
- Fermenting: Lactoferment scapes in a salt-water brine, creating a probiotic-rich preserved product.
Additional tips
- When refrigerating, avoid sealing bags completely so moisture doesn't cause mold.
- Trim woody ends before preserving.
- Check stored scapes regularly for spoilage.
These methods allow you to enjoy garlic scapes from fresh to preserved with varying shelf lives and uses in cooking.
