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Storage & Cooking

How to keep your garlic fresh and make the most of it in the kitchen.

Garlic Scapes

The curly green shoots of hardneck garlic — mild, versatile, and seasonal.

Storage

Refrigerator
2 – 3 weeks
Loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel in a bag
Freezer
Up to 1 year
Chop and freeze in an airtight container

Keep them upright

Store scapes upright in a glass with a small amount of water, like fresh-cut flowers, to extend fridge life by several days.

Don't wash before storing

Moisture speeds up decay. Wash scapes just before use, not before storing.

In the Kitchen

Scape Pesto

A seasonal favorite — use anywhere you'd use basil pesto

Blend roughly chopped scapes with olive oil, parmesan, lemon juice, and pine nuts or walnuts. Toss with pasta, spread on bread, or stir into soups.

Grilled Scapes

5 minutes on a hot grill

Toss whole scapes with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Grill over high heat 3–5 minutes, turning once, until slightly charred and tender. Finish with a squeeze of lemon.

Other Uses

  • Stir-fries and sautés
  • Chopped into scrambled eggs or frittatas
  • Pickled in white wine vinegar
  • Compound butter for grilled meats

Garlic Bulbs

Properly cured hardneck garlic keeps well and is significantly more flavorful than supermarket varieties.

Storage

Cool & dry
4 – 6 months
Mesh bag or open basket, 60–65°F, away from sunlight
Peeled cloves
Up to 2 weeks
Airtight container in the refrigerator
Frozen
Up to 1 year
Peel, chop or mince, freeze in a sealed bag

Never refrigerate whole bulbs

Cold temperatures trigger sprouting. Keep whole bulbs at room temperature in a well-ventilated spot out of direct sunlight.

Hardneck vs. softneck shelf life

Our hardneck varieties (German Extra Hardy, Chesnok Red) have a shorter shelf life than softneck supermarket garlic — typically 4–6 months — but significantly more complex flavor.

In the Kitchen

Roasted Garlic

Best use for Chesnok Red

Slice off the top of a whole head to expose the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 400°F for 40 minutes until golden and soft. Squeeze onto bread or stir into mashed potatoes.

Garlic-Infused Olive Oil

Use within 2 weeks — do not store at room temperature

Gently warm peeled cloves in olive oil over very low heat for 20–30 minutes. Strain, refrigerate, and use within two weeks for dipping, drizzling, or sautéing.

German Extra Hardy — Best Uses

  • Raw in dressings and aioli
  • Sautéed as a base for sauces and soups
  • Pickled whole cloves
  • Seed garlic for growing your own