Garlic Scape Basil Pesto

if you see them at the farmers market this weekend, grab them

Garlic scapes feel somewhat cheffy, but they aren’t at all. What the heck do you do with them? Over the years I would try them in all different ways, but I always come back to this pesto, because its so bright, so versatile and I can freeze it to keep a little spring around all summer.

After I made my pesto, I decided on a zucchini pasta as the vehicle.

The pesto itself can be used in just about any kind of dish
- stir it into soup to finish
- toss it with pasta
- as a spread on a sandwich
- toss in chicken salad
- toss in grilled veggies
- toss chicken in it, skewer and grill
- slather a crostini and top with burrata and fresh basil

ENDLESS applications, so grab the scapes this weekend and the farmers market!

GARLIC SCAPE BASIL PESTO

INGREDIENTS

16 garlic scapes
4 cups packed basil leaves
2 cups parm (or grana padano for a lighter flavor)
2 cups toasted walnuts
1 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus if you want a looser texture) *use the best you have