Muscovite garlic scapes preparation
Garlic cloves are the thin, green stems that grow from the garlic bulb. They are long, curled and look like a cross between a chive and a capelin. The stem of a garlic clove often also includes a bump at the end; it’s actually a bud, and if you left the scapes on the bulb, the bud would bloom. In recent years, the shells have become a culinary force in their own right. Prepare brine by dissolving salt in water. Remove and discard heads of garlic scapes. Cut stalks into pieces 2 to 6 inches (5-15 cm) long. Press stalks into the jar without crushing them. Cover with brine. Cover surface with cabbage leaf or plastic food wrap. Set a weight on top and close the jar. Let ferment for 45 days. Fermented muscovite garlic scapes are a delight when ground and added discretely to a vinaigrette or spicy sauce. Try them out in a sun-dried tomato tapenade, garnished with sourdough croutons for the next vampire hunt. Keeps for more than a year in the refrigerator. Recipe by David & Sébastien, revolutionfermentation.com.
