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Garlic scapes are like thick, garlicky chives that shoot up from your garlic plants before the bulbs are ready. They grow in a curled shape, signaling that it’s time to harvest them. Milder than traditional garlic but more potent than chives, scapes are a wonderful early summer harvest that lets you enjoy garlic flavor before the main crop is ready. Wondering what to do with garlic scapes? One great option is to turn them into pesto.

Garlic scape pesto is a flavorful condiment perfect for adding to various dishes. It’s made with fresh, vibrant ingredients and is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free, making it suitable for different dietary preferences.

With garlic scapes, walnuts, and basil, this pesto delivers a rich, garlicky flavor perfect for mixing with pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or using as a dip. Whether you’re looking for a new condiment or a way to make the most of your garlic scape harvest, this pesto is a tasty and healthy choice.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup gently packed basil leaves
  • 10-12 medium garlic scapes
  • 1/3 cup walnuts
  • 6-8 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tsp sea salt
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Makes: about 1 cup

Total Time: 10 minutes

What are garlic scapes?

Scapes are semi-firm, cylindrical shoots that come out of the middle of your garlic plant once they reach close to full height. At the top of the scape is the little bulb that would become a flower if you let it continue growing.

They are not the leaves of the plant – those are flat and like wide grass. Scapes will grow straight up from the plant and then begin to grow. When harvested, they look slightly like a long, curly green bean.

Related: How to Harvest, Cure and Store Garlic

Directions:

  1. Wash the garlic scapes and trim off any tough ends. Chop them into small pieces.
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  1. In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic scapes, walnuts, 6 tbsp of olive oil, and lemon juice.
  1. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped. Add more olive oil if needed to reach the desired texture.
  2. Add the basil leaves and blend on low until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, especially with larger or more mature garlic scapes, you can add a small amount of water.
  1. Add salt and pulse a couple of times to mix it in. Taste and adjust with more salt or lemon juice if needed.
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How to Store Scape Pesto

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 1 month.

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Homemade Garlic Scape Pesto

Whip up a fresh and zesty homemade garlic scape pesto with this easy recipe! Perfect for pastas, sandwiches, or as a dip—bursting with flavor and simple to make.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup basil leaves gently packed
  • 10-20 medium garlic scapes
  • cup walnuts
  • 6-8 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice fresh
  • ½ tsp sea salt

Instructions
 

  • Wash the garlic scapes and trim off any tough ends. Chop them into small pieces.
  • In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic scapes, walnuts, 6 tbsp of olive oil, and lemon juice.
  • Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped. Add more olive oil if needed to reach the desired texture.
  • Add the basil leaves and blend on low until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, especially with larger or more mature garlic scapes, you can add a small amount of water.
  • Add salt and pulse a couple of times to mix it in. Taste and adjust with more salt or lemon juice if needed.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 1 month.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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