Have you spotted those wonderfully whimsical, curly green stems popping up at the farmer’s market lately? Those, my friends, are garlic scapes! They’re the flower stalks of hardneck garlic, harvested in late spring or early summer before the garlic bulb fully matures. And if you haven’t cooked with them, you’re in for a treat!
Garlic scapes have a milder, sweeter garlic flavor than the cloves themselves, with a lovely green, almost grassy note. They are absolutely perfect for making pesto, and this Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe is my favorite way to capture their fleeting seasonal goodness. It’s vibrant, packed with flavor, incredibly versatile, and ridiculously easy to whip up in minutes. Say hello to your new favorite summer condiment!
Let’s turn these beautiful scapes into culinary gold!
Before we dive in, here are the key details for this recipe:
| ⏲️ Prep Time: 10 mins | 🔥 Cook Time: 0 mins | ⏰ Total Time: 10 mins |
| 🥣 Yields: Approx. 1 pint (2 cups) | 🍳 Difficulty: Very Easy |
❤️ Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Garlic Scape Pesto
- ✅ Seasonal Star: It’s the absolute best way to celebrate and use fresh garlic scapes when they’re in season!
- ✅ Bursting with Flavor: Offers a unique, fresh garlic taste that’s distinct from traditional pesto.
- ✅ Super Easy: Requires just a few ingredients and a food processor or blender – ready in under 10 minutes!
- ✅ Incredibly Versatile: Amazing tossed with pasta, spread on toast, dolloped on eggs, or used as a marinade.
- ✅ Freezer Friendly: Make a big batch and enjoy the taste of summer garlic scapes long after they’re gone.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to gather to make this vibrant Garlic Scape Pesto. Freshness is key here, especially for the garlic scapes and olive oil!
- ✅ 2 cups Garlic Scapes, washed and chopped into 1-inch pieces
- ✅ 1 cup Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese (use a good quality block and grate it yourself for best results), or vegan alternative
- ✅ ½ cup Pine Nuts, lightly toasted (optional, enhances flavor)
- ✅ ½ tsp Sea Salt, plus more to taste
- ✅ 1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (choose a light, fruity one)
- ✅ ½ to 1 cup Fresh Basil Leaves (optional, adds classic pesto depth)
Ingredient Notes: Look for garlic scapes at farmer’s markets in late spring/early summer. They should be firm and green. If you don’t have pine nuts, raw cashews or sunflower seeds are excellent nut-free alternatives. Using a high-quality extra virgin olive oil with a relatively mild flavor will let the scapes shine through.
🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions for Garlic Scape Pesto
Whipping up this Garlic Scape Pesto is incredibly fast and easy with the help of a food processor or blender:
- Prep the Scapes: Wash the garlic scapes well and trim off any tough ends (the very tips might be woody). Chop the scapes into roughly 1-inch pieces.
- Initial Pulse: Add the chopped garlic scapes to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times until the scapes are finely minced and resemble a coarse paste. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts (or other nuts/seeds), salt, and optional fresh basil leaves (if using) to the food processor with the minced scapes.
- Blend & Drizzle: Pulse a few more times to combine the ingredients. With the food processor running on low speed (or pulsing continuously), slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil through the feed tube until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. Some prefer a chunkier pesto, while others like it very smooth. Use more or less olive oil to achieve your preference.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Stop the food processor and taste the pesto. Add more salt if needed. If you want a brighter flavor, you can add a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice now (start with ½ teaspoon) and pulse briefly to combine.
- Transfer and Store: Scrape the finished Garlic Scape Pesto into a clean jar or airtight container. For storage, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the surface before sealing to help prevent oxidation and keep the vibrant green color.
💡 Expert Tips for Success
Get the most out of your Garlic Scape Pesto with these expert tips:
- ✅ Use Fresh Scapes: The fresher your garlic scapes are, the better your pesto will taste. Look for scapes that are bright green and firm.
- ✅ Adjust Oil for Consistency: Don’t be afraid to add a little more or less olive oil than the recipe calls for to get the pesto texture you prefer – from chunky to smooth.
- ✅ Taste and Season: Always taste your pesto before declaring it finished. The saltiness of the Parmesan and your personal preference will dictate how much salt you need. A little lemon juice can really make the flavors pop.
- ✅ Prevent Oxidation: Pesto can turn brown when exposed to air. Storing it in an airtight container with a thin layer of olive oil poured over the top before sealing helps preserve that vibrant green color.
- ✅ Consider Lightly Toasting Nuts: Toasted pine nuts (or other nuts/seeds) add a deeper, richer flavor to the pesto. Toast them gently in a dry skillet for a few minutes until fragrant before adding to the food processor.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This Fresh & Flavorful Garlic Scape Pesto is incredibly versatile. Here are some favorite ways to use it:
- 🍝 Pasta Perfect: Toss it with hot pasta and a little bit of the pasta cooking water for a quick and easy meal.
- 🍞 On Bread: Spread it generously on crusty bread, crostini, or garlic bread.
- 🍗 Grilled Goodness: Use it as a marinade or a finishing sauce for grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp.
- 🥦 Roasted Veggies: Toss roasted potatoes, broccoli, or other vegetables with a dollop of pesto for extra flavor.
- 🥚 Egg-cellent Addition: Swirl it into scrambled eggs or dollop onto a frittata.
- 🥗 Salad Dressing Base: Whisk it with a little extra olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice for a unique salad dressing.
🥡 Storage and Freezing Instructions
Storage: Store Garlic Scape Pesto in a clean, airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pesto before covering with the lid, or pour a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil over the top, to minimize contact with air and preserve the green color.
Freezing: Garlic Scape Pesto freezes beautifully! The easiest way is to spoon it into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Once frozen, pop the pesto cubes out and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3-4 months. You can also freeze it in larger portions in small containers or freezer bags. To use, thaw cubes or portions in the refrigerator or add directly to hot pasta, soups, or sauces.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Garlic Scape Pesto
What exactly are garlic scapes and where can I find them?
Garlic scapes are the flower stalks that grow from hardneck garlic plants. They are harvested in late spring or early summer (typically May or June depending on your location) to encourage the garlic bulb to grow larger. You can usually find them at farmer’s markets during their short season, or if you grow hardneck garlic in your garden.
Can I make this pesto without pine nuts (nut-free)?
Yes! You can substitute the pine nuts with an equal amount of raw sunflower seeds or even pepitas (pumpkin seeds). Toasting them lightly first can improve the flavor. Cashews also work well if nuts are okay but you don’t have pine nuts.
Can I use other herbs besides basil, or omit the basil?
Yes, you can omit the basil for a more pure garlic scape flavor. You could also add other herbs like parsley or cilantro, though the flavor profile will change slightly. Basil adds a classic pesto depth that complements the scapes well.
Is this pesto very strong or spicy?
Garlic scapes have a milder, less pungent, and slightly sweeter garlic flavor than mature garlic cloves. The pesto will have a distinct fresh garlic taste, but it’s usually not overly spicy or overwhelmingly strong in the way raw garlic cloves can be. The blanching step in some recipes helps mellow them further, but this raw version has a bright, fresh kick that is lovely.
How long does homemade garlic scape pesto last?
When stored properly in the refrigerator in an airtight container, preferably with a layer of olive oil or plastic wrap on top, it will last about 7-10 days. For longer storage, freezing is highly recommended.
📖 More Recipes You Might Like
If you’re enjoying cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, you might also like these other recipes from StirDelish:
- Sunshine Honey Lime Fruit Salad with Poppy Seeds (Refreshing & Easy!)
- Easy Cucumber Mozzarella Salad recipe with Balsamic Dressing
- Vibrant Zesty Garden Pasta Salad with Easy Homemade Italian Dressing
Final Thoughts
Garlic scapes are one of those simple pleasures of the early summer season, and this Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe is a fantastic way to savor their unique flavor. It’s so rewarding to turn these curly green treasures into something so delicious and versatile!
I hope you seize the season and make a batch (or two!) of this amazing pesto. If you try this Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe, please come back and leave a comment below letting me know how you used it! Happy cooking with seasonal goodness!
