Whip Up Garden-Fresh Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe Tonight

Summer gardens burst with vibrant green garlic scapes that beg to be transformed into a delectable garlic scape pesto that will awaken your taste buds.

These curly green stalks from garlic plants offer a mild, fresh allium flavor perfect for spreading on crusty bread or tossing with warm pasta.

Bold and bright, this pesto delivers a punch of herbaceous goodness that differs from traditional basil versions.

Farmers markets and home gardens often overflow with these seasonal treasures during late spring and early summer.

Chefs and home cooks love how quickly this pesto comes together with just a few simple ingredients.

Each spoonful promises a delightful blend of garlicky freshness and nutty undertones that elevate any dish.

Let’s find out this simple recipe and savor the essence of summer’s most versatile green.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 5

Garlic Scape Pesto Ingredient Rundown

• Garlic Scapes: Vibrant green stems with a mild, fresh garlic flavor that adds a zesty punch to the pesto.
• Baby Spinach: Provides a smooth, delicate green backdrop that softens the sharp garlic notes and boosts nutritional value.

• Pistachios, Parmesan Cheese: Create a rich, creamy texture with a nutty undertone that gives the pesto incredible depth and complexity.

• Lemon: Bright citrus juice that cuts through richness and adds a tangy freshness.
• Kosher Salt: Amplifies all the ingredient flavors and brings harmony to the pesto.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Smooth, high-quality oil that binds ingredients and delivers a silky, luxurious consistency.

Tools That Help You Blend Garlic Scape Pesto

• Food Processor: Essential for blending ingredients smoothly and creating pesto's creamy texture.
• Chef's Knife: Perfect for coarsely chopping garlic scapes into manageable pieces.
• Cutting Board: Provides stable surface for chopping ingredients safely.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients for balanced flavor.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping down sides of food processor and transferring pesto.
• Microplane or Zester: Helps grate lemon zest finely without bitter white pith.
• Small Bowl: Convenient for holding measured ingredients before blending.

Blending Garlic Scape Pesto Like a Pro

• Garlic Scape Preparation

Grab those curly green garlic scapes from your garden or farmers market. Their delicate flavor brings a fresh, mild garlic essence that transforms ordinary dishes into something extraordinary.

• Blending Magic

Toss the scapes into your food processor along with nutty pistachios, vibrant spinach leaves, sharp Parmesan cheese, bright lemon zest, and a splash of tangy lemon juice. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt to enhance all the amazing flavors.

• Silky Smooth Texture

Slowly drizzle olive oil into the mixture while the processor runs, creating a luxurious, creamy sauce that’s both velvety and packed with incredible depth. Taste and adjust seasonings until the pesto sings with balanced flavors.

• Versatile Culinary Canvas

Spread this verdant pesto on crusty bread, swirl into pasta, dollop on grilled vegetables, or use as a zesty marinade for chicken and fish. This vibrant sauce elevates any dish from simple to spectacular with just a spoonful.

Tips for Smooth and Zesty Garlic Pesto

• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pesto for a subtle heat that complements the garlic scapes' mild, green flavor.
• Transfer leftover pesto to an airtight container and top with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent browning. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze in ice cube trays for easy portioning.
• Swap pistachios with almonds, walnuts, or pine nuts to create different flavor profiles and textures in your pesto.
• Toss the pesto with hot pasta, spread on grilled sandwiches, drizzle over roasted vegetables, or use as a vibrant dip for crusty bread and fresh vegetables.
• Experiment by adding fresh basil, parsley, or mint leaves to enhance the pesto's complexity and brightness while maintaining the garlic scape's distinctive taste.

Serving Ideas for Garlic Scape Pesto Dishes

• Garden-Fresh Pasta Partner: Toss this vibrant pesto with hot linguine or spaghetti for an instant flavor explosion that transforms simple pasta into a gourmet meal.
• Artisan Bread Companion: Spread generously on crusty sourdough or ciabatta slices, creating a zesty appetizer that showcases the pesto's bright, herbal notes.
• Grilled Veggie Enhancer: Drizzle over grilled zucchini, eggplant, or asparagus to elevate summer vegetables with a punchy, creamy green sauce that adds depth and complexity.
• Protein Power Boost: Use as a marinade or topping for grilled chicken, fish, or tofu, infusing each bite with the pesto's garlic scape intensity and nutty undertones.

Storage Tips for Fresh Pesto Flavor

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store pesto in an airtight glass container with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent browning and maintain fresh flavor for 5-7 days.
• Freezing Technique: Transfer pesto into ice cube trays, freeze solid, then pop out and store frozen cubes in sealed freezer bags for easy portioned servings up to 3 months.
• Flavor Boost Tip: Before using refrigerated pesto, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes and stir briefly to redistribute oils and restore vibrant texture.
• Smart Serving Suggestion: Use pesto within a week for maximum taste intensity, rotating through different dishes like pasta, sandwiches, grilled vegetables, and protein marinades to enjoy versatile freshness.

Vibrant Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade garlic scape pesto delivers bold Mediterranean flavors with fresh herbs and nutty nuances. Chefs can craft this simple sauce in minutes, blending local ingredients for a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 garlic scapes
• 1 packed cup (1.5 oz) baby spinach
• ½ oz (¼ cup) Parmesan cheese, grated
• ¼ cup raw or roasted, salted pistachios (shelled)
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 medium lemon
• ½ cup (120 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1. Prep Ingredients: Trim woody ends of garlic scapes and chop into 1-inch segments, gathering all remaining ingredients for processing.
2. Blend Base: Combine chopped garlic scapes, pistachios, spinach, Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt in food processor, pulsing to create a coarse initial mixture.
3. Emulsify Pesto: Stream extra virgin olive oil into running processor, creating a smooth, vibrant green sauce while scraping down sides to ensure uniform consistency.
4. Season and Adjust: Taste pesto and fine-tune flavor profile by adding salt, lemon juice, or olive oil to achieve balanced taste.
5. Store and Serve: Transfer pesto to clean glass container, smoothing surface to eliminate air pockets, and either use immediately as a versatile sauce or refrigerate with a protective olive oil layer for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Chop Precisely: Cut garlic scapes into uniform 1-inch segments for consistent texture and even blending in the pesto.
• Pulse Strategically: Short, controlled pulses help achieve the perfect coarse mixture before smooth blending, preventing over-processing.
• Oil Drizzling Technique: Slowly stream extra virgin olive oil while processor runs to create smooth, emulsified pesto with balanced flavors.
• Storage Savvy: Cover pesto surface with thin olive oil layer to prevent browning and maintain vibrant green color when refrigerated.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 5mg