Fresh organically grown 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.