Garlic Scape Butter With Herbs

If you’ve never worked with garlic scapes before, you’re in for a treat. Garlic scapes are the stalk that shoots up from hardneck garlic in the spring. The stalk is harvested before it flowers so that the garlic will spend its energy into growing more garlic rather than flowering.

I’ve never seen garlic scapes at the grocery store. Instead, look for them in the spring and early summer at farmer’s markets. Unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to have your own garden and can harvest them yourself.

Garlic Scape Compound Butter is one of my favorite ways to use garlic scapes. The scapes have a garlicky flavor without being overpowering. Plus, they also have a bit of herby flavor that you don’t get from the garlic bulbs themselves.

Compound butters are an easy way to add extra flavor to so many different dishes. Top grilled meats, add to sautéed vegetables, make delicious garlic bread, or even add to sauces. Garlic Scape Butter will be a delicious addition to many of your recipes.

FAQs:

What is compound butter? Compound butter is simply high-quality, unsalted butter that you mix together with additional ingredients such as fresh herbs, garlic, spices, etc. You can even use sweet elements for desserts or a combo of spicy and sweet, such as Hot Honey Butter.

How do you store compound butter?Store compound butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. I prefer to freeze mine for a longer shelf life. Simply roll the butter into a log, refrigerate it until firm, then slice into tablespoon size portions, and store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

What are more uses for garlic scapes?> Blend with basil and olive oil for a delicious pesto sauce. (This also freezes well.)

> You can pickle them just as you would green beans.

> Slice and add to stir fry or other sautéed veggies.

> Add them to hummus just as you would garlic.

> Basically, use them for nearly any application that you would normally reach for garlic.

Ingredients for Garlic Scape Compound Butter:

• Butter: Use a high-quality, unsalted butter. Room temperature butter is much easier to work with.
• Garlic scapes: Most commonly found at farmer’s markets. I ordered mine from Misfits Market.
• Fresh herbs: I used a mix of chopped chives and parsley.
• Lemon juice: Provides a bit of acid, and adds a fresh flavor.

Ingredient Tip:

• What part of the garlic scape do I use? The bulb to tip tends to be stringy and tough, but the rest of the shoot is edible. Check that the cut end hasn’t become woody or hard. Simply cut off any bit that seems to be woody.

How to Prepare Garlic Scape Butter:

• Set the butter out to reach room temperature to make it easier to work with.
• Chop the garlic scapes into approximately 1-2 inch pieces, and rough chop the parsley and chives. Add to the bowl of a food processor, and blitz until finely chopped. You will need to scrape down the sides of the food processor a few times.
• Add the butter, lemon juice, salt, and garlic scape herb mixture to a medium bowl, and and use a spatula to mix the ingredients together until well combined.
• Scoop the butter mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper, and roll into a log. Wrap it up and store in the refrigerator.
• Note: For longer storage, slice the log into tablespoon sized portions after it has hardened, and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.

How to use Garlic Compound Butter:

• Add a slice of compound butter to grilled steaks or fish for a fantastic finishing flavor.
• Make the best homemade garlic bread your family has ever had.
• Top baked potatoes with a slice, or add to mashed potatoes for a delicious herby flavor.
• Spread over corn on the cob.
• Steam veggies, then toss in garlic scape butter for an indulgent finish.

More Ingredient Recipes to Have on Hand:

• Homemade Taco Seasoning—This is always in our pantry for tacos and fajitas.
• Roasted Garlic—I roast 8-10 heads of garlic at a time, and freeze it.
• Spiced Simple Syrup—It’s a great addition to cocktails or to drizzle over baked goods, such as Pumpkin Bread.

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Ingredient Substitutions:

• Garlic scapes: If you want to make this recipe, and scapes aren’t in season, try substituting roasted garlic instead. It has a nutty flavor without the pungency of raw garlic. Begin with substituting half the amount of roasted garlic for the garlic scapes.
• Parsley and chives: Use any fresh herbs that you enjoy. Dill, green onion, rosemary, or basil are also great choices.

Recipe Notes:

• Parchment paper makes clean up a breeze. If You Care's parchment is unbleached and compostable.
• These stainless steel bowls nest inside each other for easy storage.

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