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Fresh Garlic Scape Pesto with Parmesan and Pine Nuts

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A bright, grassy pesto made with fresh garlic scapes, Parmesan cheese, and toasted pine nuts. This easy homemade recipe is perfect for spring and early summer, offering a mild garlic flavor and creamy texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup garlic scapes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • Optional: a handful of fresh basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
  2. Rinse garlic scapes well, trim off tough ends, and chop into 1-inch pieces.
  3. In a food processor, combine chopped garlic scapes, cooled pine nuts, grated Parmesan, and salt.
  4. Pulse a few times to roughly combine, then slowly stream in olive oil while running the processor until smooth but slightly textured, about 1-2 minutes.
  5. Add lemon juice and pulse once more to mix.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, lemon juice, or olive oil if needed, pulsing again to combine.
  7. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, covering the surface with a thin layer of olive oil to keep fresh.

Notes

Do not over-process the pesto to keep some texture. Toast pine nuts gently to avoid burning. Freshly grated Parmesan gives the best texture and flavor. Add lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Store with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent browning. If pesto is too thick, add a teaspoon or two of warm water to loosen. For a creamier texture, blend in fresh basil or ricotta.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic scape pesto, pesto recipe, homemade pesto, Parmesan pesto, pine nuts, spring recipe, easy pesto, fresh pesto

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/fresh-garlic-scape-pesto-with-parmesan-and-pine-nuts-easy-homemade-recipe/