Recipe for Garlic Scape Pesto (2024)

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Get this delicious recipe for garlic scape pesto and add it to pasta, fish, chicken or even steak for a beautiful garlic flavor that will enhance all your dishes.

In the fall, I planted garlic for the first time and this June I waited patiently for the long, green garlic scapes shoots to appear from each bulb. When they did, I was giddy with excitement and began planning for the delicious things I would use them on.

However, I then realized that I only planted about 20 bulbs. Not truly enough to make dozens of garlic scape goodies. But, I was able to use all my scapes to make this incredible recipe for Garlic Scape Pesto. And if you only have enough garlic scapes to make one or two things, you want to add this Garlic Scape Pesto to the menu.

What is a garlic scape?

A garlic scape is a stalk that grows up from planted hard neck garlic a few weeks before the garlic itself is ready to be harvested. These are the flower stalks for the garlic itself. The garlic scape – also called a garlic shoot or stalk – is edible and it tastes just like garlic. You can grill them, add them to stir fry, use them in hummus or butter and so much more. But one of the most popular ways to use them is in Garlic Scape Pesto.

How to harvest garlic scapes

You want to harvest a garlic scape when it becomes curly. If you wait too long the ends will become woody like the ends of asparagus. However, you can cut those off and reserve them in the freezer for adding to a brothy soup.

Using clippers, cut the garlic scape at its base where it meets the other leaves of the plant. Taking the scape will not harm the garlic bulbs’ development. In fact, since the scape is the flower, the plant will put more energy into the bulb once the flower is gone.

How to make this recipe for Garlic Scape Pesto

So garlic scapes will taste exactly like a bulb of garlic. When making my recipe for garlic scape pesto from them, I decided to use basil as well. Why? Well, the scape flavor alone can be overwhelming and I find that I need some other flavors in there to calm it down a bit.

So in my recipe for Garlic Scape Pesto I use a lot of the same ingredients I would use in my regular pesto. They include basil, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, olive oil and lemon.

Before making it, make sure to cut any of the woody ends off the garlic scapes. I had a few that I had let grow just a tad too long because I was waiting for others to pop up. I simply cut the harder part of the stalk and then freeze that. The rest of the garlic scape goes into the food processor with all the other ingredients.

How do I use Garlic Scape Pesto?

To use this recipe for Garlic Scape Pesto, you want to use it just in the same way you would use regular pesto. I love it on pasta (of course), but I also love it on shrimp and fish, beef, with some fresh baked bread, chicken and over roasted vegetables. I made some roasted cauliflower from the garden the other night and dipped it in some of this and it was incredible!

Storing the Garlic Scape Pesto

I store the Garlic Scape Pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This recipe makes about two 8 oz. jars and it will keep for about a month in the refrigerator. I use these mason jars {HERE} with these reusable lids {HERE}. Before using, just remove from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before hand so the olive oil can come back to room temperature.

Looking for more garden fresh recipes or pasta recipes?

If you love making recipe with food from the garden or love a good pasta dish, here’s a few other recipes you should try!

• Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce Spaghetti {HERE}
• White Bean Salad {HERE}
• French Potato Salad {HERE}
• Chive Blossom Vinegar {HERE}
• Garden Herb Cream Cheese Spread {HERE}
• Blackberry Sage Water {HERE}
• Garlic Ricotta Arugula Pasta {HERE}

Thank you so much for joining me today, friends! I hope you love this recipe and get a chance to use your garlic scapes. If you’re looking for a regular Basil Pesto recipe, click {HERE}.