Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe
This Garlic Scape Pesto recipe is a vibrant, flavour-packed sauce made with fresh garlic scapes, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and lemon juice, blended into a smooth, aromatic spread. Featured on Fish the Dish with host Spencer Watts, this quick and easy pesto adds bold, fresh flavour to seafood, pasta, and appetizers.
The Inspiration
This Garlic Scape Pesto recipe is inspired by classic Italian pesto but reimagined using garlic scapes as the star ingredient. Garlic scapes, the tender green shoots of the garlic plant, offer a milder, fresher flavour compared to traditional garlic cloves, making them ideal for raw sauces and pestos.
On Fish the Dish, Spencer Watts often highlights seasonal ingredients and shows how they can be transformed into versatile, flavour-forward components. This pesto reflects that philosophy by taking a simple, often overlooked ingredient and turning it into a dynamic sauce that can elevate a wide variety of dishes.
The combination of garlic scapes, parmesan, and pine nuts mirrors the structure of traditional basil pesto, while lemon juice adds brightness and balance. The result is a sauce that is both familiar and unique—rich and nutty with a fresh, slightly garlicky bite that doesn’t overpower. It’s a perfect example of how small ingredient swaps can lead to exciting new flavours.
Ingredients
- 12 garlic scapes
- ½ cup (120ml) parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup (120ml) pine nuts
- ½ cup (120ml) olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
Method
- Clean and trim garlic scapes by cutting just below the bulb.
- In a food processor, blend garlic scapes, pine nuts, cheese, salt and pepper.
- Add lemon juice.
- While food processor is running, slowly add olive oil until the pesto is smooth.
- Serve with Garlic and Haddock Rice Balls. See recipe.
Serving Suggestions
This Garlic Scape Pesto recipe is incredibly versatile and can be used across a wide range of dishes. It pairs especially well with seafood, making it the perfect accompaniment to Garlic and Haddock Rice Balls, where its fresh, garlicky flavour cuts through the richness of the crispy coating.
It can also be tossed with pasta for a quick and flavourful meal, spread on sandwiches or wraps, or used as a dip for crusty bread and vegetables. Drizzle it over grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or grain bowls to instantly elevate simple dishes with minimal effort.
For entertaining, serve this pesto as part of a shared appetizer platter alongside seafood bites, roasted vegetables, and fresh bread. Its vibrant green colour and bold aroma make it both visually appealing and delicious.
Pair it with crisp white wines, light rosé, or sparkling water with lemon to complement its bright, fresh profile. Whether used as a sauce, spread, or dip, this pesto adds a burst of flavour that enhances any dish it accompanies.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Scape Pesto recipe is a fresh and modern twist on a classic sauce, highlighting how seasonal ingredients can be transformed into something versatile and exciting. Its balance of nutty, cheesy, and citrusy flavours makes it a go-to addition for countless dishes.
Inspired by the ingredient-driven cooking style of Fish the Dish with Spencer Watts, this recipe proves that simple techniques can produce bold and memorable results. It’s quick to prepare, easy to customize, and perfect for both everyday meals and special occasions.
Whether you’re looking to elevate seafood, enhance pasta, or create a standout appetizer, this pesto delivers vibrant flavour and endless versatility in every spoonful.