Spicy Pickled Garlic Scapes (Printable)
Tangy, crunchy garlic scapes pickled with chili and aromatic spices. Ideal for snacking or elevating your charcuterie boards and salads.
# What You'll Need:
→ Garlic Scapes
01 - 2 large bunches fresh garlic scapes, trimmed and cut to fit jars
→ Vinegar Brine
02 - 1 cup distilled white vinegar
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
05 - 1 tablespoon kosher salt
→ Spices & Flavorings
06 - 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
07 - 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
08 - 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
09 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
10 - 2 small dried chilies, whole or sliced
11 - 2 bay leaves
12 - 4 sprigs fresh dill
# Step-by-step:
01 - Wash pint jars and lids with hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and sterilize by boiling for 10 minutes or run through a complete dishwasher cycle.
02 - Trim the ends of garlic scapes and cut to match the height of your jars. Curl pieces gently if necessary to fit neatly inside.
03 - Divide garlic scapes, fresh dill sprigs, and dried chilies evenly between the two sterilized jars, packing tightly but leaving room for brine.
04 - Distribute peppercorns, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves equally between the jars.
05 - Combine vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar and salt dissolve completely.
06 - Carefully pour hot brine over packed scapes, ensuring complete submersion. Maintain 1/2 inch headspace at the top of each jar.
07 - Secure lids tightly on jars. Allow to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
08 - Refrigerate for minimum 48 hours before consuming. Flavor profile develops significantly after one week of pickling.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These pickles turn humble garlic scapes into something people constantly ask about
- The brine becomes a bonus ingredient for dressings and marinades
02 -
- Hot brine can crack cold jars so let sterilized jars cool slightly before packing
- These need refrigeration and will keep about a month though they never last that long
03 -
- Pack jars as tightly as possible since scapes will float if they have room to move
- Use a chopstick to release air bubbles after pouring the brine for better submersion