Garlic scape pesto is a delicious and fresh take on traditional pesto that highlights the unique flavors of garlic scapes—those vibrant green stalks that emerge from garlic bulbs. Smoothly blended with fresh basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese, this sauce is a perfect companion to pasta, sandwiches, or even drizzled over grilled vegetables. With its fragrant aroma and rich taste, garlic scape pesto captures the essence of spring and summer when garlic scapes are in abundance.
I first stumbled upon the idea of garlic scape pesto during a farmers’ market visit, captivated by the strikingly vibrant green scapes. After tasting a sample, I was instantly hooked! Unlike classic basil pesto, this version has a lighter, almost grassy note brought forth by the garlic scapes, making it a refreshing alternative. Plus, it can be prepared in mere minutes—just five, in fact! If you’re searching for a quick and impressive addition to your meal repertoire, I wholeheartedly invite you to try this garlic scape pesto!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: You can whip this up in just 5 minutes, making it a great option for busy nights!
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of garlic scapes and fresh basil delivers a bright, aromatic burst of flavor.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: Its vibrant green hue makes your dishes pop, perfect for gatherings or casual dinners alike.
- Flexible Serving: Use it as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, or drizzled over roasted meats and veggies—endless possibilities!
- Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adapted for vegans by swapping Parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- ½ cup garlic scapes (8-10 scapes): These fresh green stalks have a mild garlic flavor and provide a unique twist to traditional pesto.
- 1 cup fresh basil, packed: Makes up the herbal backbone of the pesto, balancing the garlicky taste.
- ⅓ cup pine nuts: They add a pleasant nuttiness and creaminess to the pesto, but feel free to substitute with walnuts or almonds if you prefer.
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese: This classic cheese lends a savory depth. You can replace it with a vegan alternative if you want to keep it dairy-free.
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps achieve that smooth texture; high-quality olive oil makes a noticeable difference.
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice: Brightens the flavors and enhances the freshness of the ingredients.
- Kosher salt, to taste: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors in your pesto.
How to Make Garlic Scape Pesto
- Trim the Scapes: Start by trimming the garlic scapes, cutting off the bulb tip and any tough ends, similar to preparing asparagus. Discard these parts and chop the remaining scapes into roughly one-inch pieces. This ensures they’re small enough to blend smoothly.
- Blend the Ingredients: In a food processor or blender, combine the garlic scapes, fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice. Pulse until everything is finely chopped and the mixture resembles a thick paste.
- Adjust Consistency: If you’d prefer a thinner pesto—ideal for drizzling—you can gradually add more olive oil, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning with kosher salt as needed!
- Enjoy the Pesto: In just 5 minutes, your garlic scape pesto is ready. It can enhance a variety of dishes or simply be enjoyed on its own with bread.
- Storage Tip: Transfer any leftover pesto into an airtight container, covering the surface with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to prevent browning. It should be stored in the fridge for up to a week, but trust me, it usually disappears long before then!
Storing & Reheating
Garlic scape pesto can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Place it in an airtight container, making sure to drizzle some olive oil on top to keep it vibrant and prevent oxidation. If you want to save your pesto for later, you can freeze it in ice cube trays for up to three months; just pop the cubes into a freezer bag once solid. For reheating, simply let it thaw in the fridge overnight or microwave it briefly; just be aware that the texture may change slightly, but you can refresh its flavor by adding a splash of olive oil before using.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Avoid adding too much salt at once; it’s easier to season gradually!
- Ensure your garlic scapes are fresh—choose those that are vibrant green and not wilted for the best flavor.
- For a creamier texture, you can add more Parmesan cheese or a splash of cream if you’re not restricting dairy.
- Store your pesto properly to maintain its bright green color; olive oil on top does wonders.
- Feel free to experiment with different nuts or use a mix—each will bring a unique flavor to the pesto!
Garlic scape pesto is not just a delight for your taste buds; it’s a charming and versatile addition to your culinary arsenal. Whether you’re tossing it with pasta, spreading it on artisan bread, or using it to elevate grilled meats, this simple dish captures the essence of fresh ingredients in every bite. I encourage you to play around with it and find your favorite way to enjoy this vibrant creation!
Recipe FAQs
What are garlic scapes, and where can I find them?
Garlic scapes are the flower stalks of garlic plants that curl when they grow. They typically have a mild garlic flavor and are usually available at farmers’ markets or specialty grocery stores during the spring to early summer months.
Can I use other nuts in this pesto?
Absolutely! While pine nuts are traditional, you can use walnuts, pecans, or even sunflower seeds if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option. Each nut will lend a distinct flavor to your pesto, so feel free to experiment!
How can I make this recipe vegan?
To create a vegan version of garlic scape pesto, simply substitute the Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast, which delivers a cheesy flavor without the dairy. You could also use a store-bought vegan cheese alternative if available.
What’s the best way to use garlic scape pesto?
The options are endless! It works wonderfully as a pasta sauce, a dressing for salads, a spread on sandwiches, or even as a dip served with fresh veggies. It’s an incredibly versatile condiment that adds a burst of flavor to nearly any dish.
Print
Garlic Scape Pesto
Garlic Scape Pesto is a delightful blend of flavors, combining fresh garlic scapes, basil, and olive oil. This simple preparation makes a rich sauce perfect for pasta or spreading. Enjoy it as a quick dinner solution or a healthy addition to your meals!
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- ½ cup garlic scapes, (8–10 scapes)
- 1 cup fresh basil, packed
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- kosher salt, to taste
Instructions
- Trim the garlic scapes by cutting off the tip just below the bulb and woody ends. Discard these parts and chop the remaining scapes into 1-inch pieces.
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender, pulsing until finely chopped and resembling a thick paste.
- For a thinner pesto, gradually add more olive oil, one teaspoon at a time, until achieving the desired consistency. Adjust seasonings to taste.
- In just 5 minutes, your fresh garlic scape pesto sauce is ready to enjoy!
- Store any leftover pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the top before storing to prevent browning.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
Use fresh garlic scapes for the best flavor.
This pesto pairs well with pasta, as a sandwich spread, or as a dip.
Adding more or less lemon juice can adjust the tanginess to your preference.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
