Garlic scape

Fleur d’ail

What it is

Hardneck garlic throws up a flower stem that has to be cut off or the bulb below stays small, and for almost the whole history of the crop that cut stem went on the compost heap. It became a market vegetable only in the last few decades, which is why there is no old recipe for it.

In the kitchen

Grill them whole over high heat until they blister and go limp, about five minutes — raw they are stringy, gently cooked they stay tough. For pesto, blanch thirty seconds first or the raw grassiness takes over the jar.

Goes with

Olive oil Lemon Parmesan Pine nut Egg Butter Chili pepper Rice vinegar

Same species

Arleux smoked garlic Banana shallot Black garlic Calçot Cévennes sweet onion Chives

In season alongside

Ramps Spring onion Watercress Wild garlic Sweetfish (ayu) Bitter melon

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