Garlic Scape Refrigerator Pickle

When garlic scapes show up at the local market or in your garlic patch, it's a sure sign that summer is well underway. This recipe for pickled garlic scapes (refrigerator pickle) allows you to preserve the bounty to enjoy throughout the summer months and into fall and winter.

What are garlic scapes?

In early summer, hardneck varieties of garlic send up a scape (round stalk with the garlic flower attached at the tip). The scape will grow upwards and then begin to curl forming a loop or S shape.

This garlic scape can be harvested and used in preparations such as this recipe, or they can be grilled, turned into pesto or added soups and salad dressings.

Ingredients

This is a rather simple refrigerator pickle recipe and you will only need the following ingredients:

• Garlic scapes
• White distilled vinegar
• White sugar
• Kosher or pickling salt
• Black peppercorns
• Chili flakes (optional)

Instructions

This is a rather easy and quick recipe and should come together in 15 minutes.

1. Wash and sanitize a 500 ml (1 pint) jar such as a canning or Mason jar.
2. Trim scapes and pack tightly into jar. You can cut the scapes into pieces or leave them whole.
3. In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, water, salt, sugar, peppercorns and chili flakes if using. Simmer to dissolve and let cool slightly.
4. Pour pickling mixture over packed scapes and tap jar to release air bubbles. Ensure the scapes are submerged. Screw lid on.
5. Refrigerate and let pickle for 1-2 weeks.

Substitutions and variations

This pickling recipe is based on my standard refrigerator pickle recipe which you can find here. It is easy to make, adaptable and customizable. You can use a different vinegar such as:

• Apple cider vinegar
• White wine vinegar
• Rice vinegar
• Red wine vinegar
• Champagne vinegar

Feel free to leave the garlic scapes whole or chop them up. The choice is yours.

Equipment

I recommend making this refrigerator pickle in a mason jar, but any glass container will work. Do not use any metal or plastic containers as they may react with the vinegar in the pickling solution.

Glass will not react with the vinegar and is a safe, affordable and aesthetically pleasing option.

Storage

This recipe is not intended to be canned (water bath) or stored in the pantry. Refrigerate your pickled garlic scapes to ensure they do not spoil. Consume within 6 months for optimal freshness.

Food Safety

A final reminder, this is not a shelf stable pickle recipe. Refrigerate your pickled garlic scapes and enjoy them within 6 months.

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