Genovese Basil Pesto with Garlic Scapes

Name: Genovese Basil Pesto with Garlic Scapes
Ingredients: 1/2 cup pine nuts. Toast them lightly if you’d like a nuttier flavor.; 1 garlic scape or one clove of garlic; 3 cups of fresh basil leaves; 1/3 cup Lucero Extra Virgin Olive Oil or more depending of consistency of pesto desired; 1/3 cup grated parmesan; salt and pepper to taste

Garlic Scapes Season

Garlic scapes are the tender green shoots that sprout from the tops of hardneck garlic plants. These curly, whimsical stalks are not only a harbinger of summer but also a much sought culinary delight with a milder, more nuanced garlic flavor. Often overlooked, garlic scapes can elevate cooking with their fresh, vibrant taste.

Ingrid delivers a gift of scapes in a fruit box

We received a box of garlic scapes from a generous neighbor's garden a few days ago along with her suggestion we try using them in a classic pesto. By blending these flavorful scapes with fresh basil, pine nuts, and extra virgin olive oil, we prepared a pesto both aromatic and full of depth, ideal for enhancing pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. As you can see from the photo below, we enjoyed some on linguini the same night!

Garlic scapes have a milder and more delicate flavor compared to raw garlic. While raw garlic has a sharp, pungent, and somewhat spicy kick that can be quite intense, garlic scapes offer a more subtle garlic essence. The scapes bring a fresh, green, and slightly sweet taste with a hint of garlic's familiar warmth without the overpowering bite. Their aroma is also gentler, evoking a blend of fresh greens with a touch of garlic, making them an excellent choice for those who enjoy a more nuanced and balanced garlic flavor in their dishes.

Close up image of coiling fresh scapes in a box with a garlic flower in the center

Do you grow or use scapes? If not, do you think you'd like to try them and discover the subtle elegance of garlic scapes in your cooking? If you do, they're sure to bring a touch of summer to your kitchen. Happy cooking! - Liz

Homemade basil pesto is shown generously incorporated linguini al dente

Genovese Basil Pesto with Garlic Scapes

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This is classic Genovese pesto as opposed to the many variations cooks make today with parsley, walnuts, and other tasty substitutions. If you have some garlic scapes in your garden or from a generous neighbor this is a good use of them, however, you can substitute garlic cloves for a more robust taste, if you prefer.

I employ the technique of blanching the basil leaves. This is optional and, as it happens, a bit controversial. While it does slightly reduce the strong flavor of the basil it will produce a brighter green pesto that lasts for many days in the fridge. Pesto browns quickly but if you use all that you make right away you can skip blanching--and remember, it's a very quick blanch. This delicate herb should not spend more than a few seconds in the water. - Donald

Ingredients

1/2 cup pine nuts. Toast them lightly if you’d like a nuttier flavor.
1 garlic scape or one clove of garlic
3 cups of fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup Lucero Extra Virgin Olive Oil or more depending of consistency of pesto desired
1/3 cup grated parmesan
salt and pepper to taste

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Directions

Bring a 4 quart pot of water to a boil. Prepare a bowl of ice water. Quickly plunge the basil leaves into the boiling water for about 5 seconds and take them out immediately and plunge them into the ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and dry the blanched leaves.
Cut the garlic scape into small pieces, then in a food processor chop the pine nuts, garlic scapes or garlic clove(s) to a fine consistency.
Add the basil leaves and process until well incorporated.
With the machine running pour in the olive oil and process until the mixture is smooth.
Add the grated Parmesan and process in short pulses to incorporate the cheese.
Flavor with salt, pepper to taste. Add more olive oil if you want a thinner consistency.

Genovese Basil Pesto with Garlic Scapes

Garlic Scapes Season

Genovese Basil Pesto with Garlic Scapes

Ingredients

Directions

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