Recipes
Garlic Scape Pesto
Garlic scapes are the green stalks that extend from hardneck garlic plants and signal that the garlic bulbs are 3-4 weeks away from harvest time! Garlic is so special because it offers two types of harvests, first the scapes which can be enjoyed as pesto, grilled up, or fried, and second, the garlic bulbs which we are all familiar. I hope you enjoy the unique flavour and experience of garlic scapes!
Ingredient List
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5 garlic scapes, woody ends trimmed and scapes roughly chopped
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1/4 cup walnuts
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (plus 1 teaspoon grated zest)
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Kosher salt
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1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
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1 1/2 ounces basil leaves, washed
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1/2 cup (120ml) extra-virgin olive oil
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Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
1. In the bowl of a food processor or blender, combine scapes, walnuts, lemon juice and zest, and season with salt. Process, scraping down sides halfway through with a flexible spatula, until scapes and nuts are broken down into small pieces, about 1 minute.
2.Add cheese and process until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Add basil and pulse until finely minced, about ten 1-second pulses.
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3. Transfer scape mixture to a medium bowl. While stirring continuously, slowly pour olive oil into scape mixture in a thin stream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Pesto can be used right away, or transferred to a jar or container, covered with a thin layer of olive oil, and sealed, then stored.
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5. Add to your favourite pasta (my fave for this pesto is linguini with some lightly fried shrimp)! This pesto is also delicious over cannellini beans, salad, and of course dipping for bread!
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Enjoy!!
