Spicy & Sweet Pickled Garlic Scapes
How to Make Delicious Pickled Garlic Scapes
Garlic scapes are abundant these days! Let’s make them into a delicious pickle that you can enjoy for a long time. It’s a perfect side dish to accompany any meal.
Ingredients- 1 bunch Garlic Scapes (approx. 250-300g)
- 1 cup Soy Sauce (200ml)
- 1 cup Sugar (200g)
- 1 cup Vinegar (200ml)
- 1 cup Water (200ml)
- 1/2 cup Soju or Rice Wine (100ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Today, I’ll show you how to make delicious pickles using crisp and fragrant garlic scapes. They make a fantastic side dish, so be sure to follow along!
Step 2
First, rinse the garlic scapes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Pat them dry completely. Then, cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 2-2.5 inches (5-7 cm) long. Cutting them too long can make them difficult to eat.
Step 3
Place the cleaned garlic scapes into a pickling jar or container. Pour in 1 cup of vinegar. Vinegar helps to mellow out any sharp flavors from the garlic scapes and acts as a preservative.
Step 4
Next, add 1/2 cup of soju or rice wine. These alcoholic beverages help to eliminate any unwanted odors, enhancing the natural aroma of the garlic scapes. Then, carefully add 1 cup of water.
Step 5
Now, let’s add 1 cup of soy sauce to bring in the savory depth of the pickle. Soy sauce not only adds saltiness but also a rich umami flavor that completes the taste of the pickle.
Step 6
Finally, add 1 cup of sugar for sweetness. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your preference. Gently shake the container or stir with a spatula to combine the ingredients well.
Step 7
Once all the ingredients are added, it will look like this. Make sure to close the lid tightly. Initially, let the pickles sit at room temperature for about 2 days. This allows the sharp ‘garlicky’ flavor to soften and the brine to penetrate the scapes. After 2 days, it’s essential to transfer the container to the refrigerator for storage. You can start enjoying them once the color changes to an appealing pickled hue.
Step 8
I usually start tasting them around the second day. Since I love pickled garlic scapes so much, I can’t resist trying them early! After a few more days of aging, the distinct pungent taste of raw garlic scapes disappears, and a much deeper, sweet and sour, fragrant flavor develops. They are truly a ‘rice thief’ – so delicious! Make sure to try making them!
