Welcome to a recipe that will transform your spice rack! Today, we're making a vibrant and intensely aromatic Spiced Salt with Garlic Scapes. If you're a fan of garlic, you'll love this. Inspired by the famous Svanetian salt from Georgia, this blend is a fantastic way to capture the fleeting flavor of garlic scapes, a true seasonal treat. This isn't just salt; it's a powerhouse condiment packed with fresh garlic, zesty scapes, and a curated mix of spices like khmeli-suneli and fenugreek. It's incredibly easy to make and will add a punch of savory, garlicky goodness to any dish you sprinkle it on.
Spiced Salt with Garlic Scapes
Ingredients for Spiced Salt with Garlic Scapes
- 130 g coarse sea salt
- 6-7 garlic scapes
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon khmeli-suneli (a traditional Georgian spice blend)
- 1 teaspoon each of fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds, caraway seeds, and black peppercorns
How to Make Spiced Salt with Garlic Scapes
Cut off the flower buds and snap off the tough, fibrous ends.
Finely chop the prepared scapes.
Pour coarse sea salt into a wide bowl.
Let’s start with the garlic scapes. Cut off the flower buds and snap off the tough, fibrous ends. Don’t throw these scraps away; put them in a bag and freeze them – they make a great addition to chicken broth.
Finely chop the prepared scapes. Peel the garlic cloves. The scapes need to be minced, which is easily done with a blender or by passing them through a meat grinder with a fine plate. Following a classic Georgian method, I crush the garlic cloves in a mortar and pestle.
Pour the coarse sea salt into a wide bowl. I’ve been using coarse salt for a while now – a teaspoon looks like the same amount, but it weighs less. It’s no secret that we often consume more salt than we need. Here’s another reason to make spiced salt – you dilute it slightly with spices, reducing the weight in that same teaspoon.
Grind the garlic into a paste; the salt acts as an abrasive and helps a lot.
Add the garlic scapes that have been passed through a meat grinder.
Add dried dill.
Place the chopped garlic cloves into the mortar and add a little salt. Grind the garlic into a paste; the salt acts as an abrasive and is very helpful. Add the garlic paste to the bowl.
Add the minced garlic scapes.
Add the dried dill. I gather young shoots along with young flower heads, dry them, and grind them in a coffee grinder. This creates a green powder that can be used anywhere – to season a sauce, coat salo (cured pork fat), or add to soup.
Add a tablespoon of khmeli-suneli.
Add a tablespoon of khmeli-suneli (a traditional Georgian spice blend).
Pour fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds, caraway seeds, and black peppercorns into a coffee grinder.
Add the ground spices to the other ingredients.
Rub the salt and seasonings with your hands until all lumps are gone.
In a coffee grinder, combine the fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds, caraway seeds, and black peppercorns. Grind the spices for a few minutes, then let it sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the spice dust to settle.
Add the ground spices to the other ingredients.
Next, I recommend doing everything by hand. To prevent the spices from staining your hands, wear thin rubber gloves. Rub the salt and seasonings together with your hands until all the lumps disappear. The lumps are from the fresh garlic and scapes, and they need to be fully incorporated with the other ingredients.
Transfer the spiced salt to a dry glass jar. Screw the lid on tightly and store in the refrigerator.
Transfer the spiced salt to a dry glass jar. Screw the lid on tightly and store it in the refrigerator. It’s best to keep this salt in a cool, dark place. The salt won’t spoil, and the aroma will be preserved.
And there you have it – your very own jar of Spiced Salt with Garlic Scapes, bursting with fresh, aromatic flavor! This salt is more than just a seasoning; it's a way to preserve a piece of the season and carry the unique taste of garlic scapes into your meals for months to come. Don't hesitate to sprinkle it on roasted vegetables, grilled meats, fresh salads, or even just a slice of buttered toast. Stored in a cool, dark place like your refrigerator, it will keep its potent aroma and flavor. Enjoy this little jar of culinary magic, and feel free to experiment by adding your own favorite spices to the mix!
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