Garlic Scape Pesto is an easy and delicious way to elevate your meals. This unique sauce combines fresh garlic scapes with vibrant greens, making it perfect for various occasions, from casual weeknight dinners to elegant gatherings. Its rich flavor and versatility will have you pairing it with pasta, grilled meats, or even as a dip for crusty bread.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Scape Pesto
Garlic scape pesto stands out for several reasons:
- Fresh Flavor: The combination of garlic scapes and lemon creates a bright taste that enhances any dish.
- Quick Preparation: Ready in just minutes, this pesto is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile Uses: Use it as a sauce for pasta, a spread on sandwiches, or a drizzle over roasted vegetables.
- Nutritious Ingredients: Packed with spinach and healthy fats from olive oil and nuts, this pesto is as good for you as it is tasty.
- Unique Ingredient: Garlic scapes offer a distinct flavor that sets this pesto apart from traditional basil versions.
Tools and Preparation
To make the perfect garlic scape pesto, you’ll need some essential tools.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Food processor
- Measuring cups
- Zester or grater
- Knife
- Cutting board
Importance of Each Tool
- Food processor: This tool makes blending ingredients quick and easy, ensuring a smooth consistency.
- Measuring cups: Accurate measurements are crucial for achieving the best flavor balance in your pesto.
Ingredients
Pair this easy and flavorful garlic scape pesto with everything, from pasta to roasted vegetables and grilled meat.
Fresh Ingredients
- 5 garlic scapes
- 1 medium lemon
- 1/2 ounce Parmesan cheese (about 1/4 cup grated)
- 1/4 cup raw or roasted, salted, shelled pistachios
- 1 packed cup baby spinach (1 1/2 ounces)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
How to Make Garlic Scape Pesto
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Trim the ends from 5 garlic scapes, then coarsely chop them. Finely grate the zest of 1 medium lemon until you have 1 teaspoon. Juice the lemon until you have 2 tablespoons. Finally, finely grate your 1/2 ounce Parmesan cheese, which should yield about 1/4 packed cup.
Step 2: Blend the Base Ingredients
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment:
* Add the chopped garlic scapes, 1/4 cup pistachios, and 1 packed cup baby spinach.
* Process until finely chopped, which should take about 15 seconds.
Step 3: Mix in Remaining Ingredients
Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Then add:
* The lemon juice,
* Lemon zest,
* Grated Parmesan cheese,
* And 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
Continue processing until a uniform paste forms, approximately another 15 seconds.
Step 4: Incorporate Olive Oil
With the food processor running:
* Slowly stream in 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil.
Scrape down the sides again as needed. Blend until fully emulsified and uniform in texture; this should take about 5 seconds.
Enjoy your homemade garlic scape pesto!
How to Serve Garlic Scape Pesto
Garlic scape pesto is a versatile sauce that can elevate many dishes with its fresh and vibrant flavor. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy this easy garlic scape pesto.
With Pasta
- Toss garlic scape pesto with freshly cooked pasta for a quick meal. Add cherry tomatoes and grilled chicken for extra flavor.
As a Dip
- Use garlic scape pesto as a dip for fresh vegetables or pita chips. It makes a perfect appetizer for gatherings.
On Grilled Meat
- Spread garlic scape pesto over grilled chicken or steak before serving. This adds a burst of flavor and enhances the dish.
In Salad Dressings
- Mix garlic scape pesto with vinegar and olive oil to create a unique salad dressing. It pairs well with mixed greens and roasted vegetables.
On Pizza
- Use garlic scape pesto as a base sauce on pizza instead of traditional tomato sauce. Top with mozzarella and your favorite toppings for a fresh twist.
With Roasted Vegetables
- Drizzle garlic scape pesto over roasted vegetables before serving. It adds depth and ties the flavors together beautifully.
How to Perfect Garlic Scape Pesto
Creating the perfect garlic scape pesto is simple with a few helpful tips. Keep these in mind to enhance your dish.
- Select Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh garlic scapes and high-quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Adjust Consistency: If your pesto is too thick, add more olive oil until you reach your desired consistency.
- Experiment with Nuts: Try using different nuts like walnuts or almonds for varied flavor profiles.
- Add More Greens: For an extra nutrient boost, add more spinach or other leafy greens to the mix.
- Store Properly: Keep any leftover pesto in an airtight container in the fridge, topped with olive oil to preserve freshness.
- Blend Until Smooth: Ensure you blend the ingredients long enough to achieve a smooth texture without large pieces.
Best Side Dishes for Garlic Scape Pesto
Garlic scape pesto pairs wonderfully with various side dishes, enhancing their flavors while providing balance to your meal. Here are some great options.
- Grilled Corn on the Cob: Brush corn with garlic scape pesto before grilling for an herby twist.
- Caprese Salad: Combine fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil leaves drizzled with garlic scape pesto for a refreshing side.
- Roasted Potatoes: Toss diced potatoes with olive oil and garlic scape pesto before roasting until crispy.
- Quinoa Salad: Mix cooked quinoa with diced veggies and garlic scape pesto for a healthy side dish packed with protein.
- Steamed Green Beans: Toss steamed green beans in warm garlic scape pesto just before serving for a vibrant addition.
- Couscous with Veggies: Fluff couscous mixed with seasonal vegetables and dress it up with garlic scape pesto for added flavor.
- Zucchini Noodles: Serve spiralized zucchini noodles tossed in garlic scape pesto as a light, low-carb option.
- Stuffed Peppers: Fill bell peppers with rice, beans, and cheese topped off with garlic scape pesto for extra zest.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making your Garlic Scape Pesto, it’s easy to overlook some key steps. Here are common mistakes to watch out for.
- Skipping the Garlic Scapes: Many people substitute garlic cloves instead of using garlic scapes, which can alter the flavor significantly. Stick with scapes for a unique, mild garlic taste.
- Ignoring Fresh Ingredients: Using stale or old ingredients will affect the taste and freshness of your pesto. Always use fresh garlic scapes, cheese, and greens.
- Overprocessing the Mixture: If you blend too long, the pesto can become overly smooth and lose its texture. Blend just until combined for a rustic finish.
- Not Tasting as You Go: Failing to taste your pesto during preparation may lead to unbalanced flavors. Always sample and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Using Low-Quality Olive Oil: The quality of olive oil impacts the overall flavor of your pesto. Choose a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best results.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top to help preserve freshness.
Freezing Instructions
- Freeze in small portions using ice cube trays for easy use later.
- Once frozen, transfer cubes to a freezer bag and label with the date. Use within 3 months for optimal flavor.
Reheating Instructions
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F and warm for about 10 minutes until heated through.
- Microwave: Heat in short intervals (15-20 seconds) until warmed, stirring in between.
- Stovetop: Gently warm over low heat in a pan, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Garlic Scape Pesto?
Garlic scape pesto is a fresh sauce made from garlic scapes, nuts, cheese, and olive oil. It offers a unique take on traditional basil pesto.
How can I customize Garlic Scape Pesto?
You can customize your garlic scape pesto by adding different nuts like walnuts or almonds, or by including additional herbs such as basil or parsley.
Can I make Garlic Scape Pesto vegan?
Yes! Simply omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute it with a nutritional yeast blend for a dairy-free version.
How do I serve Garlic Scape Pesto?
This versatile sauce pairs well with pasta, grilled meats, and roasted vegetables. You can also use it as a spread on sandwiches or crostini.
How long does Garlic Scape Pesto last?
Stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, garlic scape pesto lasts about one week. For longer storage, freeze it!
Final Thoughts
Garlic Scape Pesto is not only simple to make but also incredibly versatile. Whether you toss it with pasta or spread it on sandwiches, this recipe brings vibrant flavor to any meal. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients based on your preferences!
Garlic Scape Pesto
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Approximately 6 servings 1x
Description
Garlic Scape Pesto is a vibrant and easy-to-make sauce that will elevate any dish with its unique flavor profile. Combining the mild, garlicky essence of fresh garlic scapes with the creaminess of Parmesan cheese, this pesto offers a refreshing twist on traditional basil pesto. Perfect for busy weeknights or elegant gatherings, it’s versatile enough to pair beautifully with pasta, grilled meats, or as a flavorful dip for crusty bread. With its quick preparation time and nutritious ingredients like spinach and healthy fats from olive oil and nuts, you can enjoy both deliciousness and health benefits in every bite.
Ingredients
- 5 garlic scapes
- 1 medium lemon
- 1/2 ounce Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1/4 cup pistachios (raw or roasted)
- 1 packed cup baby spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Trim the ends of the garlic scapes and coarsely chop them.
- Zest the lemon to obtain 1 teaspoon, then juice it until you have 2 tablespoons.
- In a food processor, combine chopped garlic scapes, pistachios, and spinach. Process until finely chopped.
- Scrape down the bowl’s sides and add lemon juice, zest, grated Parmesan cheese, and salt. Process until well mixed.
- While blending, slowly add olive oil until fully emulsified.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: None
- Category: Sides
- Method: N/A
- Cuisine: N/A
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 30g
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
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