Good morning!
I’m writing this post at 6am on a Saturday because I am just that excited to tell you about it!
First, I need to get this off my chest…
GARLIC SCAPES!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The garlic plant has more than one usable portion. While many people are aware of the many uses for the garlic bulbs, not as many persons are aware that the stalk of the garlic plant is also edible.” [Source]
I eat a lot of veggies, however I am always over the moon when I can discover a new veggie and figure out what to do with it!
Second, thank you to everyone who told me what this scary but magical veggie is and offered some recipe ideas! I think my CSA post is going to become a weekly feature. It was so fun to read everyone’s thoughts on new recipe ideas! Maybe we can start a recipe club. :tongue:
Third, what I am about to show you is life-changing. I do not joke about these things. This recipe left me ohhhing and awwwing and talking about it all night. Eric even scarfed it down!
I will get right down to business.
![IMG_9217 (2) IMG_9217 (2)](/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_92172_thumb.jpg)
Easy Vegan Garlic Scape Pesto
Ingredients:
- 3 garlic scapes, rinsed and chopped a few times to break up
- 1.5 cups of my 3-minute parmesan cheeze (I tripled the batch so I would have lots leftover!)
- Juice of 1/2 a fresh lemon (approx 2 tbsp)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- handful of fresh spinach
Directions: Make the 3 minute vegan parmesan cheeze, by toasting 1.5 cups of sesame seeds in the oven until lightly golden in colour and then throw seeds, nutritional yeast, and salt into a blender. Process for 30-60 seconds. Parmesan cheese is complete! Step 2) Remove cheese from processor and set aside. Now throw in the garlic scapes and fresh lemon juice and process until fine. Add the vegan parmesan slowly in 1/2 cup increments, alternating with the extra virgin olive oil. Process until smooth or desired consistency. As a final step take your rinsed spinach and throw in and process. It will turn into a lovely green colour. Serve and enjoy! Makes 1.5-2 cups.
![IMG_9204 IMG_9204](/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_9204_thumb.jpg)
I figured it needed a little pop of GREEN, don’t you?
Much better.
![IMG_9216 IMG_9216](/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_9216_thumb.jpg)
I cannot even tell you how DELICIOUS this is!!! I just can’t. You have to make it for yourself to understand. I think I inhaled half of it on spot.
![IMG_9219 IMG_9219](/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_9219_thumb.jpg)
This was quite possibly the best thing that has ever come out of my food processor.
I am in love with garlic scapes! Their flavour is out of this word- they are very, very garlicky and to my delight they did not give me stomach pains like regular garlic does. You have no idea how happy I was to be able to eat something garlicky and not suffer afterwards! This also marked the first time that I have made pesto and actually was impressed by it (the first time I made it a while ago it was very off tasting).
![IMG_9253 (2) IMG_9253 (2)](/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_92532_thumb.jpg)
I still have a ton of garlic scapes leftover and I can’t wait to throw them onto salads, roast them, and make a stir-fry with them. YUM.
If there is one thing you do this weekend RUN to your local market, pick up some garlic scapes (they aren’t in season for long!), and make this pesto. You will still be glowing from ear to ear come Monday morning.
![IMG_9250 (2) IMG_9250 (2)](/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_92502_thumb.jpg)
Speaking of the Farmers Market, I am off to the orientation! My plan is to woo the farmer’s with Glo Bars and bring home copious amounts of strange veggies every week. :biggrin:
I love when I learn about new veggies and recipes from blogs…I really thought that was like a wire or something when I looked fast at that first picture. I can’t wait to try!
I am not a vegan, but this pesto looks to die for. I make spinach pesto and hummus with real cheese and garlic. I love the garlic scape – I saw it at a Farmer’s Market last week, had no clue what it would taste like so I stayed away. Great find and perfect recipe for it!
I have never heard of garlic scapes but this recipe looks fab. I’ll have to check my local farmer’s market!!
That pesto looks SO GOOD!! Oh my goodness I would love to try some of that.
That looks really good. If I ever get my hands on some garlic scapes I may have to try that recipe. Thank you. :)
This recipe sounds so cooool! Doesn’t pesto usually include nuts, though? I guess that the garlicky flavour would definitely be enough, though. This looks great! Nice and fresh :)
Wei-Wei
Yes some pesto recipes have nuts…this one has seeds! ;) You can always add nuts if you desire.
Looks great, I like your addition of spinach.
I just picked up some nutritional yeast this week to try it out, now I’m so wishing I hadn’t composted my garlic scapes! I think I’ll head to the market today to find some and try this recipe. Looks delish! So curious about that vegan parm too.
Angela, you’ve been a huge inspiration to me. I came across your blog while searching for some healthy smoothie recipes. I was trying to get my energy back up after being sick for most of May. Your healthy ideas, recipes and links to other fabulous health and wellness blogs have gotten my wheels turning. I’m looking at food a whole new way, I’m even considering going vegan (or beegan, I don’t think I”ll give up honey, and what a fun word!). My energy has definitely improved and I have a feeling my immune system is going to be much improved with all the good things I’m giving my body these days.
So, thank you! For sharing your experiences and motivating myself and others to try new and healthy things. :)
I’m curious, do you get sick much? Have you noticed a change in how often you get sick since you’ve changed your diet?
Hi Marta!
Thanks for your sweet comments! :) Congrats on all of the healthy changes you have made to your diet. To answer your question, I rarely ever get sick (*knocks on wood)…I used to be sick ALL the time…literally once a month if not more and I can’t remember the last time I got sick. It has been over a year I would say! Not bad. :)
I love discovering new veggies! The CSA share sounds like such a good way to do that because grocery store chains never really have interesting produce.
That pesto looks delish!
I never use my garlic scapes, and now I’m feeling a little wasteful! You inspired a mini-post today on my blog about the things I don’t use, but would like to learn more about…
Thanks for the inspiration!
ooo I can’t wait to try this! just bought nutritional yeast last night!
btw i made overnight oats with chia seeds, inspired by your video, loved them!
Glad you enjoyed the oats!!
I’ve never seen garlic scapes before but this looks *awesome* I’m a huge fan of garlic so the garlickier the better
^is that a word?
Hahah-I was gone all day yesterday, JUST read your last post and was just about to comment that! They’re GOOD! I didn’t know until recently what they were either, it took culinary school!! hah
What a FABULOUS looking pesto!
xo
Kris
I am a big fan of garlic scapes and your post yesterday inspired me to look into a farm share. This time last year, they were all sold out in my community, but this year, there are several farms still offering full and half shares.
Thanks for this recipe…can’t wait to try it!
Hi Angela. I just wanted to know where you got your colorful spoons?? I see that Caitlin at HTP uses them also and they’re so cute! Thanks!
Crate and Barrel appetizer spoons :)
I have never even heard of garlic scrapes!
Sounds awesome! Thanks for the great tip :)
Ahh I see you did go with a pistou! Nice choice.
Mmmmmm my mom and I LOVE pesto on paninis!! It absolutely makes the sandwich. I didn’t know that’s what garlic looked like pre-ground. Or is that just a certain type? Either way, very creative and I’ll have to try this next time I’m home!
I received garlic scapes from a neighbour last year but I had no idea what to do with them. Well, now I do! The hunt for more begins.
OMG, that sounds absolutely amazing! I have never heard of garlic scapes before, and I’m not even sure where I could find them. But this recipe sounds sooo good!