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Garlic Scape Pesto

Garlic Scape Pesto

Garlic scape pesto is a vibrant, seasonal sauce that blends tender garlic scapes, nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil into a creamy, flavorful condiment. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a topping, it brings fresh summer flavors to any dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Course: Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine: Farm-to-Table, Seasonal, Vegetarian
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 –1.25 cups chopped garlic scapes about 8–15 scapes
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts or sunflower seeds for nut-free option
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for vegan
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Toast nuts in a dry skillet until golden and fragrant.
  2. Trim woody ends from garlic scapes.
  3. Pulse garlic scapes and toasted nuts in a food processor until roughly chopped.
  4. Slowly stream in olive oil and lemon juice while blending to form a smooth paste.
  5. Add Parmesan or nutritional yeast and blend until creamy.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Optional: blanch scapes in boiling water for 30 seconds and shock in ice bath for milder flavor and brighter color.
  8. Store in an airtight container with a thin layer of olive oil for up to one week or freeze in ice cube trays for up to six months.

Notes

Garlic scape pesto stays bright and flavorful when stored with a thin olive oil layer on top. Toast nuts for depth, and blanch scapes if flavor is too strong. Use fresh scapes, and freeze portions for quick, convenient meals.