This simple, flavorful Oven-Roasted Garlic Spears recipe (i.e., garlic scapes) takes less than 10 minutes to throw together and makes a fresh, tasty side dish for any spring or summer meal.
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What's the Scoop on Garlic Scapes?
Garlic Spears - also known as "garlic scapes" - are the flower tops and stalks of the elephant garlic plant. They available for a few fleeting weeks in the spring and early summer at your grocery or local farmers market. They make a beautiful presentation and a tasty addition to your table.
Garlic spears can be eaten raw or cooked. When raw, they carry a pretty hot punch, and can be used to spice up things like baked potatoes or salads.
Garlic scapes can also be steamed, lightly sautéed, or roasted. They have a very mild garlic flavor that mellows the longer they are cooked, and can be served alone, chopped into pasta or casseroles, or pureed into soup, sauce, pesto, or hummus.
Simple oven-roasting is one of the best ways to enjoy fresh garlic spears. The results are wonderful!
What Goes into this Recipe
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
• Garlic Spears: You can find garlic spears at your local food co-op, Whole Foods, or farmers' market. Some chain grocery stores also carry them, but (in our experience) stock is often limited and intermittent.
Choosing garlic scapes is a lot like choosing asparagus. Look for spears that are firm, and bright green in color. Like asparagus, the more delicate the stalk, the more tender. Avoid yellow or papery flower bulbs, hard or woody stalks, and bruising or other damage.
• Olive Oil: You can use any light-flavored olive oil or other neutral cooking oil.
We like to use this amazing Meyer lemon olive oil, which enhanced the flavors even more.
How to Roast Garlic Spears
Cut off the ends of the garlic scapes.
Toss the pared spears in a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Lay out in a single layer on a heavy baking sheet.
Roast in a 375°F | 190°C oven for 30-35 minutes, until the tips are lightly browned and the stalk is tender. Toss garlic scapes midway through roasting time if desired.
Sprinkle with lemon juice before serving.
FAQs & Expert Tips
Raw garlic spears carry a pretty hot punch with decidedly garlicky overtones, and can be used to spice up things like baked potatoes or salads.
Oven-roasted garlic spears (like the ones made from this recipe) have a mild, pleasant flavor that is somewhat like asparagus; but closer to an artichoke, with a subtle but distinct garlicky infusion.
Treat fresh garlic scapes as you would fresh asparagus stalks:
• 1-3 Days: Cut the ends and stand them up in a glass of water on the counter or in the fridge.
• Up to 2 Weeks: Refrigerate in a breathable vegetable bag in the refrigerator.
• Up to 3 Months: Blanche in boiling water for 30-45 seconds. Vacuum seal or place in a large, resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
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Oven-Roasted Garlic Spears
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound garlic spears (i.e., garlic scapes)
- 2 tablespoons light olive oil or other neutral cooking oil
- Kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper
- fresh lemon Juice
Instructions
- Cut off the ends of the garlic scapes and toss them in olive oil. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Lay prepared garlic scapes out in a single layer on a heavy baking sheet.
- Roast in a 375°F | 190°C oven for 30-35 minutes, until the tips are lightly browned and the stalk is tender. Toss garlic scapes with tongs midway through roasting time if desired.
- Sprinkle with lemon juice before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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Lindsay Ingalls (@RunWithTongs) says
Such a creative way to use these! Thanks for sharing!
Catherine says
I've never tried these either, but I definitely want to now! I bet they'd be wonderful grilled on the BBQ too.
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
I've always wondered what to do with garlic spears - These sound fabulous!
Tara Woodruff says
I am Now envisioning Myself Smearing These Tasted Garlic spears on Fresh French Bread. Wow These look delicious Can Wait to make these!
Renée ♥ says
Garlic spears on fresh french bread sounds fabulous!