A garlic scape is the seed pod that grows out of a head of hard-neck garlic. If the scapes aren't removed, the garlic puts its energy into growing seeds instead of cloves, so we harvest the scapes before the flower opens.

Garlic scapes will keep in the fridge for at least a month, though they will get tougher as they age, so trim the ends as needed. They have a milder garlic taste, so scapes can be used in most recipes in place of fresh garlic. The stalks can be used in pesto, pasta sauce, chopped into slivers and frozen to use in biscuits and soups throughout the winters. The flowers are particularly delightful in soup.

Garlic Scape Cream Cheese

4 garlic scapes
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 tsp pepper or to taste

Using an knife and cutting board, chop the garlic scapes into fine pieces less than 1/4 inch long. Put garlic scapes, cream cheese, salt and pepper into a food processor and blend until smooth. Serve cream cheese with crackers, flat bread, bagels or use a vegetable dip.