Garlic Scapes with Pesto Rosso

Garlic scapes are the green tops or flower stems of hard-neck garlic plants.  They develop in late spring or early summer and are usually removed in order to redirect the plant’s energy towards producing the garlic bulb. 

Health Benefits

Since ancient times, garlic has been used in traditional medicine to support the immune system and treat a variety of conditions. And modern research also supports many health benefits associated to its consumption.

Just like the garlic bulb, the scape has the potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, as it may lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is linked to various diseases, including heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Enjoy garlic scapes with this tasty recipe

If you’ve never tasted garlic scapes you absolutley must, if you get the chance. Wondering what they taste like? They have a mild garlic flavour and a texture similar to asparagus or green beans.

My favourite way to have them is lightly grilled and served with sundried Sicialian tomato pesto. This unique pesto is known as pesto alla siciliana or pesto rosso.

Garlic Scapes with Pesto Rosso

Kevin Lamoureux

Enjoy these fresh greens lightly grilled and dipped in a unique, flavourful sundried tomato pesto from Sicily, known there as Pesto Rosso.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6

Calories 277 kcal

Ingredients

  

Pesto Rosso

• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
• ½ cup almonds or cashews
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp rosemary
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
• ½ tsp chili pepper flakes
• ½ cup olive oil

Grilled Scapes

• 20-30 Garlic sapes
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil or other light oil
• ½ tsp coarse salt

Instructions

 

• Add all pesto ingredients to a food processor and run for about 30 seconds to finely chop and blend all ingredients.
• Toss the scapes in the sunflower oil
• Heat a barbecue grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F) and grill the scapes on a grilling tray for about 3 minutes per side.
• Sprinkle the scapes with the salt and serve with the pesto, crackers or crusty bread.

Notes

Garnish with coarse salt.

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 2g | Iron: 10mg

Keyword garlic, pesto, scapes

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• Yabrak: Stuffed Grape Leaves
• Fiddleheads with Wild Garlic
• Wild Blueberry Pancakes