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It’s Garlic Scape Season; Make Pesto Using Spinach or Kale

This is my fifth year making this pesto. What makes this extra special for is the garlic scapes came straight from my raised bed garden for the second year in a row! I must thank my brother-in-law Mark who has been growing music garlic and generously shared his massive haul over recent years … and then got me hooked on growing garlic on my own!

Last fall, I planted music bulbs harvested from my first season, along with German and Montana varieties I purchased online from Keene’s Garlic. It’s been so fun watching the scapes sprout and grow and finally transforming them into my homemade pesto. I have to admit, the pesto seems to get even better every year. I’m sure I’m biased, but frankly, I don’t care!

garlic scapes, literally laurie
Garlic scapes freshly picked from my raised beds are washed and ready!

This year, I picked my scapes a little earlier than usual as my priority is on ensuring the garlic plants’ energy reserves go toward increasing the bulb size. Through my research, I learned that you should pick scapes when their curlicues form a half to full circle. Most of mine were in the half circle this year! You need to trim them at this specific time so the garlic tops won’t get tough and woody.

spinach garlic scape pesto
Assembly line of prep work underway!

If you have a CSA membership, you’re likely to get a nice bunch in your box in June to early July. Or you can stop by a local farmers’ market to score some. If you can’t easily find garlic scapes, simply follow the recipe notes on how to substitute fresh garlic cloves instead.

Enjoy All Year and Make It Your Own

I’ve been making traditional basil pesto (check out my recipe!) for decades and freeze a large batch in small containers to enjoy all year. This garlicy version expands my pesto collection as part of my summer recipe repertoire. When freezing, I prefer making a thick pesto because I will thin it out with EVOO once defrosted. Because I make a large batch, I give it away to family and friends. It also makes a nice addition to a hostess gift.

garlic scapes, literally laurie
I made five batches of pesto from this year’s harvest.
spinach garlic scape pesto
Ingredients go into the food processor with the scapes added in first.

Spinach or Kale?

The past three years, I made it with spinach instead of kale. Spinach is just as good and slightly milder. Hearty kale works equally well and won’t impart a bitterness if you’re worried about that. Not only is kale considered one of healthiest and most nutritious plant foods in existence, it mellows out the flavor of the scapes and bulks up the recipe. Believe me, you won’t even taste the kale.

garlic scape pesto, literally laurie
I make my pesto on the thick side for freezing it, so it’s almost like a paste. Then I’ll thin it out with EVOO to the desired consistency when ready to use.

But if kale isn’t your thing, definitely use spinach. I found I needed to increase the volume of spinach. I’m not sure if it’s because the leaves are more delicate thus breaking down more OR if the milder green requires more volume to help cut the cut some of scapes’ garlic flavor. Probably both!

When making this kind of pesto, be prepared that the scapes will steal the show. The pesto will taste fresh, green and grassy with garlic being the predominant flavor. Fresh lemon helps mellow out the garlic flavor while maintaining the bright green color of the pesto.

scape pesto, literally laurie
This year’s spinach scape pesto is packed and ready for the freezer.

I tend to use my scape pesto as an add-in enhancer in marinades, red sauce, salad dressings or thinned out with EVOO and drizzled over roasted or cooked meats and veggies similar to a chimichurri sauce. It’s a perfect add-in my cherry tomato quick sauce and just omit the garlic. And delish with a burrata caprese salad! YUM. 🙂

Make the Recipe Your Own

As with any of my recipes, please feel free to make it your own based on your preferences. This recipe is very adaptable, so you can easily omit or change out the walnuts. Sunflower seeds, pignolis and almonds also work well. The same with the cheese, you can try nutritional yeast if not using dairy or simply omit. And if you like a milder, less garlicky flavor simply add in extra handful of spinach or kale. And if you have fresh basil or parsley on hand, toss them in with the spinach or kale.

For ideas on how to use the pesto, see the recipe for more information.

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Garlic Scape Pesto with Spinach or Kale and Walnuts

This pesto is easy, versatile and freezes exceptionally well. The pesto is a flavor enhancer, so add a dollop into soups, sauces, rice, salad dressings, blistered tomatoes, ratatouille, quiche and scrambled eggs. Whatever strikes your fancy!
Try it as a drizzle thinned over with EVOO over tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, grilled/roasted veggies or on cooked meats and seafood. Add some to fresh or canned crushed tomatoes to make a quick pasta sauce. It’s also perfect as a marinade for shrimp or chicken.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups garlic scapes (bulb removed) sliced into 3- to 4-inch pieces
  • 4 cups packed fresh baby spinach (or 4 large handfuls) OR 3 cups chopped kale (or 3 large handfuls)
  • 2/3 to 3/4 cup EVOO (if you like a thinner consistency, add more at the end)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan or Romano cheese (can swap with 1/4 cup nutritional yeast)
  • 1/2 cup walnuts (can also use sunflower seeds, pignolis or almonds)
  • Juice of a fresh lemon
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon crushed pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Prep produce

  • Garlic scapes: Trim tough ends and remove bulb. Wash and dry in towel. Cut into 3- to 4-inch pieces.
  • Spinach: If using already-washed spinach from the grocery store you can skip this step. Otherwise, wash and trim ends (if needed) and dry using a salad spinner or towel.
  • Kale: Wash, remove tough ends and roughly chop. Dry using salad spinner or towel.

In food processor:

  • Add the garlic scapes to food processer. Pulse until roughly chopped.
  • Add in the spinach or kale and pulse until roughly chopped.
  • Add in the EVOO. Start with 2/3 cup.
  • Then add in the rest of the ingredients.
  • Pulse on chop until the mixture is finely chopped.
    kale garlic scape pesto
  • Add more EVOO if the mixture is too thick.
  • If freezing, you may choose to keep thick like a paste and thin out with EVOO after defrosting.
  • Spoon pesto into an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for a week.
  • If you freeze, store in small individual containers. Or freeze in ice cube trays, and after frozen, keep into a Ziploc bag.

Notes

If you can’t find garlic scapes:
  • Use four large garlic gloves.
  • Increase greens:
    • If using spinach, increase to 5 cups.
    • If using kale, increase to 4 cups. 
  • Reduce EVOO to 1/2 cup to start. Add more as needed based on consistency. 
  • Taste and adjust flavors based on your preferences. 
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121 thoughts on “It’s Garlic Scape Season; Make Pesto Using Spinach or Kale

  1. 5 stars
    This sounds delicious. I want to try growing garlic scapes next year in my raised garden beds too! What are you planting them near or with as a companion plant?

  2. 5 stars
    I have sooo much garlic scape and didn’t know what to do with it! Now I do! Thank you for sharing!! 😍

  3. 5 stars
    This garlic scape pesto sounds amazing! I love the idea of blending in spinach or kale for an extra boost of greens. It’s such a creative way to use seasonal ingredients, and I can see this adding so much flavor to pasta, grilled veggies, or even as a sandwich spread. Definitely saving this one to try soon!

  4. 5 stars
    I would love to make this! It sounds so fresh and rewarding, especially knowing the garlic scapes came from your own garden. I’ve never tried growing garlic, but this definitely makes me want to start. Thanks for the inspiration!

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