This Garlic Scape Pesto is super easy to make and utterly addictive. You will want to top everything you make with this Pesto! And who could blame you?
Last week I received my first CSA delivery. I’ll admit I was beyond excited to find out we had them in our area. I took advantage immediately and ordered bi-weekly deliveries. The first one came loaded with garlic scapes.
If you’ve never had garlic scapes you’ve been missing out. The taste is stellar, and they are incredibly versatile. You can use them for just about anything. So I used them for everything. It’s how I roll.
The first thing I made was this pesto. It’s so good I just wanted to eat it out of the jar with a spoon. And I did. Until the neighbours caught me shovelling it into my mouth while I was supposed to be taking photos.
Whoops. My bad.
If you’re unsure what a garlic scape looks like the photo below is for you. They sort of resemble snakes. Which is sort of icky. So just forget I said that. They look like heavenly deliciousness. Ya, that’s what I meant.
See, they look like, um, heavenly deliciousness right? Moving on.
I decided I had to make as many things as possible with my garlic scapes. So this is recipe number one. There will be more recipes coming. I just hope there are more garlic scapes coming. I need more. Now.
Okay, so I should say I want some more. Not that I need some more. I mean, it’s not like I’m addicted or anything. It’s not like I’ve been sitting her twitching since I ran out of them or anything.
I mean I can quit any time I want to. I just don’t want to. And you wouldn’t either. I mean look at this pesto. Who wouldn’t get addicted to it?
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- 1 cup garlic scapes cut into pieces
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 almonds you could use pistachios, pine nuts or walnuts
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- Salt and white pepper to taste, if desired
- 1/2 cup good quality olive oil
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Combine the basil leaves, garlic scapes, and almonds in a food processor. Pulse until everything is broken up into small chunks.
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Add the parmesan cheese, salt and white pepper. Pulse briefly.
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Turn the food processor on and slowly add the olive oil until the pesto is the consistency you like.
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Remove and transfer to an air tight container, pop in the fridge until needed.
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Or just shove it all in your mouth immediately, whatever works for you.
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You can use this over pasta, crostini, sandwiches or for dip for some great crackers. However you use it make lots because it will be gobbled up quickly.
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Serve with a big old garlic scape loving smile!
Recipe Source: Cravings of a Lunatic
Ahh, heavenly.
Now run out and see if your farmers market has garlic scapes. Then make this. Then shove this in your face. Rapidly.
Or share it with your family and friends. Whatever.
Manners are over-rated when there is Garlic Scape Pesto around.
Nice, shmice, pass the pesto and no one gets hurt.
Want more healthy recipes, check out my Healthy Recipes Pinterest Board:
Follow Kim Beaulieu | Cravings of a Lunatic’s board Healthy Cravings on Pinterest.
More fresh and summery recipes from yours truly:
Peach Salad with Peach and Hazelnut Dressing, pictured above
Farro with Pistachios and Dried Cherries, pictured above
Enchiladas with Quinoa, Chicken, and Peach Salsa, pictured above
Mini-me and myself are going to do a farm stand crawl next week. I’ll make sure I take lots of photos to share with you. My second CSA arrives on Monday too so we’ll be knee-deep in fresh produce soon. Just the way I like it.
Toodles and smoochies! xx
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
That pesto looks amazing! I just want to eat it with a spoon but I can also imagine making a pumpkin lasagne with that pesto too.
Alex says
Double yum! I have to use your recipe! 😀
Susan says
Once you taste the garlic scapes you’ll never go back! I have a whole bunch sitting at home waiting to be worked with this weekend!
[email protected] Riffs says
Garlic scapes are wonderful! Typically I only see them for maybe a month, and then only in farmer’s markets (I don’t think I’ve ever seen them in a supermarket). So much you can do with them! Never used them in pesto, though — I should. Thanks for this.
Celia says
I make pesto every year with garlic scapes. I make several batches, 1 with walnuts, 1 with pine nuts and 1 with no nuts. I freeze it in small containers ( it gets mouldy quickly ) and have enough for the whole year! Garlic scapes are only around for a few weeks so you better hurry.
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
I could eat this on everything! Love pesto, especially with loads of garlic!
Choc Chip Uru says
I would love to put some of this pesto on my pasta… bread… everything 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Emily @ Life on Food says
Oh how I want to try this. Garlic scapes are so much fun! I haven’t seen anything this year. I cannot wait. I will definitely be saving this recipe.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
I haven’t tried garlic scapes yet but I reeeeally want to-I know I’ll love ’em! This pesto looks like a GENIUS way to use ’em, so gooood!
Ellen Christian says
I need to pick some garlic scapes up at the coop this weekend and try this!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I really REALLY need to find some garlic scapes!!
[email protected] Food Ramblings says
I absolutely love pesto. This looks beautiful!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
I so wish I could get my hands on some garlic scapes. None in the farmers’ markets around here and, unfortunately, no CSA in my area. I’ll just enjoy them vicariously through your gorgeous post!
Amanda ( The Kitcheneer) says
I’ve heard so many great things about garlic scapes and I have yet to try them! I will have to change that soon cause this pesto looks too good not to try!
Celia says
Garlic scapes are sold in baskets at the farmer that I go to. You will find that a little goes a long way so I chopped the leftovers very finely ( with nothing added) and froze it flat in a freezer bag. Whenever I need a little throughout the year, I break off what I need. This is after I made 3 types of pesto, froze it in small containers and gave some away.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Ironically, a neighbor just gave me a bunch of garlic scapes that I had NO clue what to do with. This sounds like a plan!
Ginny McMeans says
This is the most gorgeous Pesto I have seen. Can’t wait to use garlic scapes.
Rose | The Clean Dish says
Aw man look at your photos!! They’re absolutely amazing!! Also, scape pesto is pretty darn genius. I had never thought of that before! Pinning!!
Isabelle @ Crumb says
Heck yes! I pretty much live on garlic scape pesto this time of year. 🙂 Love the fact that yours is made with almonds… I normally use pine nuts, but I think the almonds would actually be way better. Good thing I still have a bunch in the fridge that haven’t been pesto-ified, because I’m going to try your version ASAP!
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
I have yet to work with garlic scapes. Every week I tell myself I will make it to the Farmer’s Market and every week for one reason or another, I miss it. Pinning this for when I finally make it there!
Marly says
You’re gonna think I’m weird (it’s ok, you’re not the only one), but I kind of like snakes. I think they’re definitely way under appreciated. Anyway, love the photo of those garlic snaky scapes. This recipe looks delish!
Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com says
I’ve seen many recipes using garlic scape. I have never tried it but think pesto sounds like a good idea for me to try. Thanks!
Aurora Importing says
It’s one of the pesto variations we really approve at home, and I probably don’t have to explain you why: If it’s something you eat, then garlic scape pesto goes well on it 😉
~Andrés
Michelle says
I had no idea what to do with the garlic scapes I got at the farmers market, I just thought they looked fun. I made this today and I am afraid that it will all be gone before dinner. I planned on making eggplant, tomato, mozzarella stacks then drizzling some of this on it but then I cut up some carrots for my two year old and started using it as a dip. Thank you so much!!!
[email protected] says
Kim,
Thanks for sharing this yummy-looking garlic scape pesto with me! I appreciate it!