Sweet, mild garlic scapes and fresh basil merge to create a bright, deeply savory pesto. The scapes bring a subtle onion-garlic flavor that balances beautifully with the sharp bite of raw garlic and salty Parmesan cheese. You'll love how versatile this green sauce is. Toss it with warm pasta, spoon it over fresh mozzarella, or serve it alongside crusty bread for dipping. You can easily customize the texture by choosing your favorite nuts or seeds for a rich, nutty finish.
Prep
10 min
Total
10 min
Servings
8
Course
Sauce/Condiment
Cuisine
Italian
🧑🍳
Difficulty
Easy
💰
Cost
Moderate
🌶️
Spice
Mild
Equipment
Food processor
Ingredients
2 cups fresh basil leaves
12 garlic scapes, chopped
2 cloves garlic
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup flax seeds, chia seeds, pine nuts, or walnuts
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1Place the fresh basil, chopped garlic scapes, garlic cloves, Parmesan cheese, and your choice of seeds or nuts into a food processor. Pulse the mixture until roughly blended.
2Turn the motor on and slowly pour in the olive oil in a steady stream. Adding the oil slowly helps emulsify the sauce so it doesn't separate.
3Add salt and black pepper to taste. Continue processing the mixture until it reaches your preferred texture.
Notes
Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent browning.
Freeze: Portion the pesto into ice cube trays, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Variation: For a lighter version, substitute a splash of chicken or vegetable broth for some of the olive oil.