Garlic Scape Pesto

Name: Garlic Scape Pesto
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Canadian
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup garlic scapes (chopped); 1/4 cup pine nuts (toasted); 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 1/2 cup olive oil (extra virgin); 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed); Salt and pepper to taste

10 min 8 servings Easy

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Garlic Scape Pesto

A vibrant pesto made with garlic scapes, perfect for pasta or as a spread.

Prep

10 min

Total

10 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Garlic scapes are the curly green shoots that emerge from the tops of garlic bulbs. These vibrant scapes have a milder garlic flavour and can be used in a variety of dishes, adding a unique twist to traditional recipes. Turning garlic scapes into pesto is a delightful way to capture their fresh, garlicky essence. This pesto is versatile and can be used to enhance pastas, sandwiches, or as a dip for fresh vegetables.

Ingredients

Servings

Pesto

Instructions

Prepare the garlic scapes

Rinse the garlic scapes under cold water and pat dry with a towel. Trim the ends and chop them into small pieces.

Pro tip: Use fresh, bright green scapes for the best flavour.

Toast the pine nuts

In a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning.

Pro tip: Pine nuts can burn quickly, so keep an eye on them.

Blend ingredients

In a food processor, combine the chopped garlic scapes, toasted pine nuts, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pulse until finely chopped.

Add olive oil and lemon juice

With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and lemon juice until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.

Pro tip: Adjust the amount of olive oil for a thicker or thinner pesto.

Season the pesto

Season the pesto with salt and pepper to taste. Blend briefly to combine.

Pro tip: Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Store or serve

Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week, or serve immediately.

Pro tip: For longer storage, freeze the pesto in ice cube trays.

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Tips & Tricks

<ul><li>Store extra pesto in an airtight container to maintain freshness.</li><li>Use fresh garlic scapes for the best flavour.</li><li>Blanching the garlic scapes can help reduce their sharpness if desired.</li><li>Adjust the amount of olive oil for desired consistency.</li></ul>

Serving Suggestions

Serve this garlic scape pesto tossed with your favourite pasta, spread over grilled chicken, or as a vibrant topping for crostini. It pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables and can be made ahead of time. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze in ice cube trays for later use. When using from frozen, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight.