These twisty, odd looking things are Garlic Scapes

Garlic Scapes are the shoots growing out of the ground from only hard-neck varieties of garlic. They look like curly green stalks with tightly closed buds on top. When they are young and tender, farmers and gardeners snap them off to prevent nutrients depletion from the garlic bulbs, allowing the bulbs get big and ready for harvest. 

Harvest them when the center stalk completely forms and grows above the rest of the plant. As it grows up it will begin to curl or spiral upward. At that point, cut the stalk as far down as you can without cutting any leaves off. Since not all of the scapes will come at once, revisit the patch weekly until all the scapes are gone!The harvest time is mid - late June. Save the scapes in a brown bag and put in a dry, cool place to use later. 

Last updated July 6, 2020