garlic scape
Scapes are the flower stalks of hardnecked garlic. Once the garlic bulb begins to form, the plant puts up a curlicue of a flower stalk. (Remember this is garlic that was planted last October and will be harvested next month.) The tender stalk is quite a delicacy and has a flavor all its own. Perhaps, like a delicious, mildly garlicky green bean.
I snipped the scapes from the plants with scissors. Once home, I trimmed off the flower which is woody, chopped the tender stems and sautéed them. They were indescribably good and complemented a grilled skirt steak nicely.