The Perfect Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe: Fresh, Zesty & Simple

Garlic scapes dance across culinary landscapes with unparalleled zest and complexity, refineing ordinary dishes into extraordinary experiences.

These curling green tendrils offer an unexpected symphony of mild garlic essence and herbaceous charm.

Farmers’ markets showcase their seasonal splendor, beckoning adventurous cooks to unlock their potential.

Tender yet robust, garlic scapes deliver nuanced flavors that elevate simple preparations with remarkable depth.

Blending these delicate stems creates a vibrant condiment that whispers of summer gardens and fresh ingredients.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this pesto celebrates agricultural creativity and sensory delight.

Prepare to revolutionize your meal with a condiment that speaks volumes about culinary innovation.

How to Blend a Bold, Bright Pesto

Step 1: Chop and Combine

• Pistachios
• Spinach leaves
• Grated Parmesan
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Pinch of salt

Step 2: Blend to Creamy Perfection

Pulse the ingredients in the food processor while slowly drizzling olive oil. Keep blending until the mixture becomes smooth and silky. This process helps all the flavors meld together beautifully.

Step 3: Taste and Adjust

Give your pesto a quick taste. Add more salt, lemon, or olive oil if needed to balance the flavors. The goal is a harmonious blend that makes your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

• Pasta sauce
• Sandwich spread
• Dip for vegetables
• Topping for grilled meats
• Flavor booster for salads

Tips to Tame the Sharpness and Boost the Cream

• Maximize Flavor Freshness: Harvest garlic scapes when they're young and curly for the most tender, mild taste and brightest green color.
• Perfect Texture Technique: Pulse ingredients in short bursts to prevent over-processing, maintaining a slightly chunky consistency that adds textural interest.
• Nutty Balance Trick: Toast pistachios lightly before blending to enhance their rich, deep flavor and add a subtle roasted note to the pesto.
• Storage Preservation Hack: Transfer pesto to an airtight container and cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent browning and extend refrigerator life up to a week.
• Versatile Serving Strategy: Use this vibrant pesto as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, salad dressing base, or quick marinade for grilled vegetables and proteins.

Store It Right to Keep It Fresh and Zesty

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer leftover pesto to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Press plastic wrap directly onto the pesto surface to prevent browning and oxidation. Refrigerate for up to 5-7 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Freezing Method: Spoon pesto into ice cube trays for convenient portioning. Freeze until solid, then transfer frozen cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen pesto maintains excellent quality for 2-3 months, perfect for quick meal preparations.
• Reheating Technique: Thaw refrigerated or frozen pesto in the refrigerator overnight. Gently warm at room temperature or briefly in a microwave, stirring occasionally to restore smooth consistency. Avoid overheating to preserve the vibrant green color and delicate herb flavors.

What to Toss or Dip with This Unique Pesto

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Let the bright, herbal notes of garlic scape pesto dance with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. The wine's acidity cuts through the rich, nutty flavors, creating a perfect summer evening sip.
• Spread on Artisan Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or crusty baguette and generously slather with this vibrant green pesto. Toast the bread lightly to enhance its crunch and bring out the nutty pistachio undertones.
• Match with Grilled Proteins: Drizzle this pesto over grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp. The zesty, garlicky sauce adds a fresh burst of flavor that elevates simple proteins into a restaurant-worthy dish.
• Toss with Fresh Pasta: Swirl the pesto into warm linguine or angel hair pasta. Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top for a quick, gourmet meal that feels like a luxurious Italian indulgence.

Variations to Keep Pesto Season Fresh All Year

• Green Garden Fusion: Swap spinach with fresh basil leaves for a classic Italian herb profile, adding depth and traditional pesto character.
• Nutty Mountain Mix: Replace pistachios with toasted almonds or walnuts to create a rustic, earthy flavor that complements the garlic scapes' pungent notes.
• Vegan Herbal Version: Eliminate Parmesan cheese and substitute with nutritional yeast for a plant-based alternative that maintains creamy texture and adds subtle umami richness.
• Spicy Zinger Blend: Incorporate a small roasted jalapeño or red pepper flakes to introduce a subtle heat that elevates the pesto's complex flavor profile.

Why Garlic Scape Pesto Feels Like Summer

• Savor Unique Seasonal Flavor: Garlic scapes deliver a milder, fresher garlic taste that's less intense than traditional garlic, creating a vibrant and distinctive pesto experience.
• Whip Up Quick Nutritious Spread: This recipe takes just minutes to prepare, packed with healthy fats from pistachios and olive oil, plus greens from spinach, making it a nutrient-dense condiment.
• Customize with Ease: Incredibly versatile sauce that works perfectly as a pasta coating, sandwich spread, vegetable dip, or grilled meat topping, allowing endless culinary creativity with minimal effort.
• Boost Healthy Eating: Low-carb option with balanced nutrition, offering protein, healthy fats, and minimal sugar, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious food lovers seeking delicious alternatives.

The Green and Garlicky Stars of the Show

• Garlic Scapes: Fresh, tender green stems with mild garlic flavor, perfect for creating a bright and herbal pesto base.
• Spinach: Provides smooth texture and additional green color with mild, earthy taste.

• Pistachios: Adds creamy, nutty richness and unique green color to the pesto.
• Parmesan Cheese: Brings sharp, salty depth and helps bind the pesto ingredients together.

• Lemon Zest: Offers bright, citrusy notes that complement the garlic and herbs.
• Lemon Juice: Adds tangy freshness and helps balance the overall flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, high-quality oil that helps create a silky, emulsified texture.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the complex flavors of the pesto.

Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Homemade garlic scape pesto brings Mediterranean charm to summer kitchens with its zesty green goodness. Blended pine nuts, fresh scapes, olive oil, and parmesan create a silky sauce perfect for pasta, bread, or grilled vegetables you’ll want to savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 garlic scapes
• 1 packed cup baby spinach (1 ½ ounces)
• ¼ cup raw or roasted, salted pistachios (shelled)

Cheese and Seasoning:

• ½ ounce Parmesan cheese (approximately ¼ cup grated)
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 medium lemon
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1. Trim the woody ends of the garlic scapes and roughly chop them into 1-inch (2.5 centimeter) segments.
2. Add the chopped garlic scapes, raw pistachios, fresh spinach leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and kosher salt into a food processor container.
3. Pulse the ingredients several times to create an initial coarse mixture, scraping down the sides of the processor bowl to ensure even blending.
4. With the food processor running continuously, slowly drizzle extra virgin olive oil in a steady stream to help emulsify and create a smooth, vibrant green pesto consistency.
5. Stop the processor and taste the pesto, adjusting seasoning with additional salt, lemon juice, or olive oil as needed to balance the flavors.
6. Transfer the garlic scape pesto to a clean glass jar or storage container, smoothing the top with a spatula to remove any air pockets.
7. Serve immediately as a versatile sauce over pasta, spread on crusty bread, dollop onto roasted vegetables, or store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days with a thin layer of olive oil covering the surface to prevent oxidation.

Notes

• Freshly harvested garlic scapes deliver the best flavor and brightest green color to this vibrant pesto.
• Swap traditional basil with tender spinach leaves for a milder, more versatile green base.
• Roasting pistachios briefly before blending intensifies their nutty essence and adds depth to the sauce.
• Homemade pesto keeps well in sealed containers for up to one week when refrigerated with a thin olive oil layer on top.
• Versatile condiment pairs perfectly with grilled meats, pasta, sandwiches, and roasted vegetables for quick meal transformations.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 8mg