Let’s Get Saucy
with some garlic scape-icious pesto!
We’re excited to announce that the garlic scapes at Mad River Garlic Growers are now ready to harvest! Keep an eye on your garlic plants and look for the scapes to start curling or spiraling upward—this is the perfect time to pick them. To celebrate the harvest, we’re sharing one of our favorite recipes: Garlic Scape Pesto. This versatile and flavorful pesto is perfect for pastas, sandwiches, or as a dip. Here’s how you can make it at home:
Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe
Ingredients:
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1/2 cup pine nuts (can substitute with pistachios, walnuts, or almonds; we love to use pecans!)
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3/4 – 1 cup extra virgin olive oil (use less for thicker pesto, more for thinner)
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1/2 tsp salt
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Juice of half a lemon (or even a whole lemon for more zest)
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3/4 cup quality grated Parmesan cheese (avoid the unrefrigerated/cheap kind, as it has an added caking agent that doesn’t blend and freeze well)
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1 cup basil (optional, we prefer without)
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2/3 cup diced garlic scapes, trimmed of woody stems
Instructions:
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Lightly toast the pine nuts or your preferred nuts to bring out their flavor.
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In a food processor, combine the toasted nuts, olive oil, salt, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and diced garlic scapes.
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Blend until smooth, adjusting the consistency with more olive oil if needed.
Storage:
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Keep your pesto in the fridge for up to a week.
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For longer storage, freeze in mason jars or freezer-friendly plastic containers. The high oil content allows you to easily scoop out the pesto even when frozen.
Quick Tip: For a delicious salad dressing, mix a few scoops of pesto with oil and vinegar, and shake well in a glass jar.
for Best Selection for Fall Planting Season
We hope you enjoy this delicious way to use your fresh garlic scapes. Thank you for supporting Mad River Garlic Growers, and happy harvesting!
P.S. Don’t forget to share your pesto creations with us on social media using @MadRiverGarlicGrowers!
