Growing garlic is no doubt my favorite crop to grow. Why? Because it’s the only crop that has the exact opposite growing season than every other crop that we grow. Once the garlic is in the ground in late October, my planting season for the outdoor beds is complete for the year. The rest of the planting will take place inside the high tunnels until the following spring.
Garlic scapes are in season for only a short time, so the time to buy them is when you see them. Scapes are typically only available at your farmers’ market. Here in central Ohio, you’ll find them in early June. To read more about what exactly is a garlic scape and for more ideas on how to use them, see 5 Ways To Cook With Garlic Scapes. There are many other ways to use them other than those I’ve outlined, but one of the most delicious ways is by making this garlic scape hummus.
I created this quick and easy garlic scape hummus recipe as a delicious snack for dipping with pita chips or bagel chips. Unlike traditional hummus, this garlic scape hummus recipe uses sunflower seeds instead of garbanzo beans (chickpeas) as the base. You could substitute the sunflower seeds with garbanzo beans if you prefer.
Ingredients
- 6 oz garlic scapes, chopped
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- 2-4 tablespoons water
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350*. Trim bud end from scapes and discard. Arrange scapes in a single layer on a baking sheet and lightly drizzle with about 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Roast in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until tender-crisp. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Chop into 1-inch pieces to make processing easier.
In a food processor, combine scapes, sunflower seeds (or garbanzo beans if you prefer), remaining olive oil, cheese, salt and pepper and pulse until coarsely ground. Then process on low speed until smooth. If needed, add water one tablespoon at a time to the mix to reach the desired consistency. Serve with pita chips or bagel chips. Makes approximately 1 cup.