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Fresh Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe Easy Homemade with Pine Nuts Parmesan

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A quick and easy fresh garlic scape pesto made with toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese, perfect for brightening up pasta, grilled shrimp, or crusty bread with a fresh, vibrant flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup chopped garlic scapes (about 4–5 scapes)
  • 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano preferred)
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (sea salt or kosher salt preferred)
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Toast the pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Rinse garlic scapes, pat dry, trim tough ends, and chop roughly into 1-inch pieces.
  3. In a food processor, combine chopped garlic scapes, cooled pine nuts, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Pulse several times to break down ingredients.
  4. With the processor running on low, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the pesto reaches a thick but spreadable consistency.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Add red pepper flakes if desired and pulse briefly.
  6. Transfer pesto to a clean jar or bowl. If not using immediately, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent browning and refrigerate.

Notes

Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning. Use good quality extra-virgin olive oil for best flavor. Store pesto in an airtight container with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent browning. Pesto keeps well for 4-5 days refrigerated and freezes well in ice cube trays for longer storage. For a vegan version, substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Pine nuts can be replaced with toasted walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds for nut-free options.

Nutrition

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

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