Garlic scape pesto is a fresh and vibrant twist on the classic basil variety, elevating your culinary creations with an unexpected touch. These tender shoots, the flower stalks of garlic, bring a delightful mild flavor reminiscent of garlic but with a green, slightly grassy undertone. When blended into a pesto, they create a beautiful, creamy green paste that’s perfect for drizzling over pasta, spreading onto crusty bread, or incorporating into various dishes.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Garlic Scape Pesto
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Garlic Scape Pesto

My first encounter with garlic scapes was during a summer jaunt to a local farmers’ market, and I was instantly enchanted. Their unique fragrance wafted through the air, beckoning me to experiment in the kitchen. Since then, this garlic scape pesto recipe has become a treasured staple in my meal repertoire. It’s incredibly easy, calls for minimal ingredients, and the flavors are nothing short of magical — plus, it’s perfect for utilizing those unexpected seasonal ingredients. I can assure you, it’s worth trying this delicious homemade spread!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Whip this pesto up in under 20 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of garlic scapes, basil, and walnuts creates a nutty, garlicky flavor that’s irresistible.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Its bright green hue makes for an impressive and inviting presentation.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or just a dip for veggies — it’s versatile enough for any occasion!
Diet-Friendly Options: Vegetarian and gluten-free, making it a great choice for various dietary preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup garlic scapes, chopped: These are the star of the show, providing a unique garlic flavor without overwhelming intensity. If you can’t find garlic scapes, you could substitute with green onions or a milder garlic option, but keep in mind the flavor will differ.
½ cup fresh basil: Fresh basil adds a sweet note and vibrant color. Ensure you use whole leaves — the more aromatic, the better!
⅓ cup parmesan cheese, grated: This brings a salty, savory element to the mix. You can use aged parmesan or a suitable vegan alternative if you want to keep it dairy-free.
⅓ cup walnuts or pine nuts, toasted: Nuts add a creamy richness. Toasting them enhances their flavor; however, any favorite nut will work here.
½ cup olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is best for a fruity finish. Use high-quality oil for the most flavorful pesto.
1 tablespoon lemon juice: This brightens the entire mixture, balancing out the richness. Freshly squeezed is recommended for the best taste.
½ teaspoon salt: A little seasoning goes a long way in enhancing all the flavors in the pesto.
¼ teaspoon black pepper: A dash adds warmth and depth.

How to Make Garlic Scape Pesto

Prepare the Garlic Scapes: Rinse the garlic scapes thoroughly under cold water and gently pat them dry. Trim off any tough ends. Roughly chop them into 1–2 inch pieces to make blending easier.
Toast the Nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, add your walnuts or pine nuts. Toast for about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until lightly golden and fragrant — this step is crucial for deepening their flavor. Remove from heat and let them cool slightly.
Blend the Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the chopped garlic scapes, fresh basil leaves, toasted nuts, and grated parmesan cheese. Pulse several times, allowing them to blend into a finely chopped mixture, but don’t go too smooth yet.
Add the Olive Oil: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Blend until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. I prefer mine smooth but still with a bit of texture.
Season to Taste: Add in the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend again for about 10-15 seconds until everything is combined. Feel free to taste and adjust the seasoning if desired – a bit more lemon or olive oil could balance the flavors perfectly.
Adjust Texture: If your pesto turns out too thick, don’t fret! Add in 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or a splash of water and blend until it’s smooth and spreadable.
Serve or Store: You can use your garlic scape pesto right away with pasta, on sandwiches, or just as a dip. If storing, transfer it to an airtight container. Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top for freshness.

Storing & Reheating

To store garlic scape pesto, let it cool to room temperature before placing it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 1 week. If you want to extend its lifespan, freezing it is an option for up to 3 months — just pour it into ice cube trays for easy portioning. When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw in the fridge overnight or reheat gently over low heat on the stove. Keep in mind that textures may change a bit upon freezing, so a splash of olive oil can help restore some creaminess.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

For the freshest flavor, make sure to use the garlic scapes as soon as possible after purchasing them.
Avoid over-processing your ingredients; you want to maintain some texture in your pesto.
If you’re finding your pesto is too oily, try adding more nuts or cheese to balance it out.
Feel free to customize the flavor by adding in toasted seeds or different herbs depending on your taste.
Garlic scape pesto can easily be made ahead of time, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining.

Garlic scape pesto is a delightful way to incorporate the fresh flavors of summer into your meals. It’s an easy recipe that showcases the unique flavor profile of garlic scapes while blending seamlessly with hearty pasta or sandwiches. I encourage you to experiment with this recipe, swapping in different nuts or herbs to make it your own!

Enjoy this pesto spread on crusty bread, tossed with fresh pasta, or stirred into salads — it’s bound to make your meals a little more exciting.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use regular garlic instead of garlic scapes?

Absolutely! If you don’t have garlic scapes, you can use one or two cloves of fresh garlic instead. Just keep in mind that the flavor will be more pungent, so adjust to taste.

How long will garlic scape pesto last in the fridge?

Garlic scape pesto can last in the refrigerator for about one week when stored in an airtight container. Just make sure to add a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent oxidation.

Can I freeze garlic scape pesto?

Yes, you can freeze garlic scape pesto! Pour it into ice cube trays for portion control and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw in the refrigerator or briefly heat it on the stove.

What dishes can I use this pesto with?

The uses for garlic scape pesto are vast! It’s fantastic tossed with pasta, drizzled over roasted vegetables, spread on sandwiches, or even as a dip for chips or bread. The possibilities are endless!

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Garlic Scape Pesto

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 1 cup 1x
Category: Condiment
Method: Blending
Cuisine: Italian

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Description

This garlic scape pesto bursts with flavor, featuring fresh ingredients like garlic scapes and basil. Perfect as a quick meal topper or spread, it’s easy to make and a sure favorite for dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup garlic scapes, chopped
½ cup fresh basil
⅓ cup parmesan cheese, grated
⅓ cup walnuts or pine nuts, toasted
½ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Rinse the garlic scapes under cold water and dry them off. Trim any tough ends and chop them into 1-2 inch pieces.
In a dry skillet, toast the walnuts or pine nuts over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring frequently.
Remove the nuts from heat and let them cool.
In a food processor, combine the chopped garlic scapes, fresh basil, toasted nuts, and parmesan cheese. Pulse until finely chopped but not smooth.
While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and blend until the pesto is smooth yet slightly textured.
Add lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend for 10-15 seconds to combine, tasting and adjusting seasoning if needed.
If the pesto is too thick, blend in 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil or water until smooth and spreadable.
Use the pesto right away or store in an airtight container, optionally drizzling olive oil over the top for freshness.

Notes

For a delicious variation, try adding some crushed red pepper for heat.
Pesto can change in color; add olive oil on top when storing to keep it vibrant.
Great with pasta, on sandwiches, or as a flatbread spread.