Scapes? Snakes? Culinary Delight?

   I figure you are never too old to learn something new.  In fact, two of my adult kids are constantly after me to do just that.  "Learn something new every day, Mom.  That way, your brain remains healthy."  One can only hope, anyway.  Today's learning came about by Son mentioning that the garlic buds looked a lot like snakes.  Well, yep, they do.  That could possibly be why the garlic has garnered the common name of snake head garlic or serpent garlic.  The tall stem that shoots up from the center of the garlic and then produces a knob full of buds twists and turns like the shape of a snake.  To be honest, I would be hard pressed to spot a rough greensnake among these stems!  Same size...same shape...same kinks.

  As much as I like the garlic blooms, it is obvious that if you want large bulbs, you have to cut the stalks.  So, I cut the stalks.  I was amazed at how tender these 2ft long twisty, twirly things were!  As I cut, I gathered.  I had no idea why but it felt right to bring that odd bouquet into the kitchen and stick them in the old coffee pot as a centerpiece.  Then I headed in to research about "snake head" garlic. 

 

  Alrighty then!  My new culinary experiment comes from the learning experience!  I shall be dining upon "scapes" tomorrow!  Yep, scapes!  That is the name of those long stalks and it seems they are entirely edible and are making their way into all the finest restaurants.  Well, fancy folks have nothing on Bayou folks, now do they?   Tomorrow, I shall prepare my scapes in several different ways as a taste-testing.  We shall see if these snaky things are worth the fuss!  If they are, then more garlic will be planted just for the odd things.  If not, then I say fancy restaurants are overcharging for something that should have gone into the compost pile!  Scapes...snake head garlic...who knew?