Garlic scapes are the curly, green flowering shoots of hardneck garlic plants. Harvested in late spring and early summer before the garlic bulb fully matures, these fresh alliums offer a milder, sweeter garlic flavor than the cloves themselves. The scapes have a firm, crisp texture similar to asparagus or green beans. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, including grilling whole, roasting with olive oil and salt, or sautéing in stir-fries. Fresh garlic scapes are frequently chopped and blended with pine nuts, parmesan, and olive oil to make a vibrant, seasonal pesto. They can also be thinly sliced and used raw as a garnish for soups, baked potatoes, and salads, or pickled in a vinegar brine for long-term storage. When cooking, the entire stalk is edible, though the fibrous tip right above the small bulbous blossom is often trimmed before use.