Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe with Simple Variations

A Fresh Taste of Summer

One of my favourite ways to use garlic scapes each year is by turning them into a fresh batch of pesto. Their season is short, so making pesto is an easy way to enjoy as many as possible while they are available.

Garlic scape pesto has a bright, robust flavour that truly tastes like summer. It is fresh, savoury, slightly garlicky, and incredibly versatile. A small spoonful can completely transform a simple meal.

They can be considered a strong flavour, but my kids really enjoy this pesto. Once the scapes are blended with toasted nuts, cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice, the flavour becomes much more balanced. My children especially like it tossed with warm pasta, spread onto toasted sourdough, or mixed into a creamy dip.

And if you are not sure what scapes are, they are the winding, curly bit that shoots out of the center of the garlic leaves, about a month before the garlic bulbs are ready to harvest. We cut the scapes off, so that all the growing energy is focused on the bulbs for the last month in the garden.

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A Simple and Flexible Pesto Formula

There are countless ways to make pesto, which is one of the things I love most about it. You do not need to have one exact collection of ingredients. Once you understand the basic formula, you can create a delicious pesto using what you already have on hand.

Pine nuts are the traditional choice, but almost any nut will work. Toasting the nuts in a dry pan first brings out their flavour and gives the pesto more depth.

I recently used toasted pecans because they were less expensive than pine nuts and were already in my pantry. The finished pesto was rich, slightly buttery, and absolutely delicious.

Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and sunflower seeds are also great options. Sunflower seeds are especially useful when you need a nut free version.

Choosing the Cheese and Olive Oil

Parmesan is a classic choice for pesto, but any firm, salty Italian cheese can work well. Pecorino Romano gives the pesto a sharper flavour, while other aged cheeses can create a slightly milder result.

The cheese adds savoury depth and helps balance the freshness of the garlic scapes.

A good quality cold pressed extra virgin olive oil binds everything together and carries the flavours throughout the pesto. Because olive oil is such an important part of the recipe, this is a good place to use the best quality oil you have available.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness and helps balance the richness of the cheese and nuts. A small amount of lemon zest can also be added for an extra fresh flavour. Save those lemon rinds for my Lemon Rind Rinse Aid Recipe (for spotless, chemical-free dishes).

Finish the pesto with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. I often use Himalayan salt or Celtic Sea Salt in our home.

Delicious Ways to Use Garlic Scape Pesto

Garlic scape pesto can be used in many of the same ways as traditional basil pesto.

Toss it with warm pasta and leftover chicken for a simple meal, spread it onto sandwiches and wraps, or stir a spoonful into scrambled eggs. It is also delicious mixed into mashed potatoes, soups, roasted vegetables, or warm grains.

You can spoon it over grilled chicken, steak, white fish, or roasted salmon. It also makes a flavourful alternative to tomato sauce on homemade pizza.

For a quick dip, mix a spoonful of pesto into mayonnaise, sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt. Serve it with crackers, fresh vegetables, or toasted sourdough.

Garlic scape pesto is also a beautiful addition to a summer charcuterie board. Its vibrant green colour pairs nicely with artisan breads, cheese, meats, fresh vegetables, and seasonal fruit.

A Thoughtful Seasonal Gift

Fresh pesto makes a lovely homemade gift during garlic scape season. Spoon it into a glass jar and add a simple handwritten label.

It would be a lovely surprise for a hostess, neighbours, friends, teachers, or anyone who enjoys fresh, homemade food. Just be sure to let them know that it should be kept refrigerated.

How to Store Garlic Scape Pesto

Garlic scape pesto will generally keep in the refrigerator for up to one week. Covering the surface with a thin layer of olive oil can help protect the colour and freshness.

It also freezes very well. Spoon the pesto into an ice cube tray or small silicone mould and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen portions to a freezer container and use them within about six months. Freezing pesto in small portions makes it easy to add a little summer flavour to soups, pasta, roasted vegetables, or sauces throughout the year.

Easy Variations

For a milder pesto, replace some of the garlic scapes with fresh basil, parsley, or spinach.

To make it dairy free, leave out the cheese or replace it with nutritional yeast.

You can also adjust the consistency by adding more olive oil for a thinner sauce or using less oil for a thicker spread.

No matter which ingredients you choose, garlic scape pesto is a simple and nourishing way to preserve a seasonal harvest. It is flexible, full of flavour, and easy to adapt to whatever your family enjoys.

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