About The River

Friday, July 21, 2017

Garlic and Garlic Pesto


 Way back in October of 2016 I planted garlic.
Breaking off cloves you plant each clove.



 My garden of garlic.


 You will see the garlic growing in the spring. A fun sight in the garden, green in early spring!


 As the garlic continues to grow. It will form a scape.
The scape is the flower that emerges from the middle of the garlic stalk. The theory behind harvesting them is that it forces the garlic to put its energy towards making a bigger bulb instead of making a flower. I harvest mine when they just start to curl themselves into a circle. The longer you wait the spicier and tougher the scapes become.
With my garlic scapes, I make garlic pesto.


 Garlic Pesto

2 cups garlic scapes, roughly chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup walnuts
Pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper
1/2 - 3/4 cup of olive oil or sunflower oil

*note: feel free to mix in other herbs like basil, mint, cilantro, parsley or even kale to make the pesto more mild. We love garlic, so we do not mind!!

1. Add garlic scapes, Parmesan, walnuts, salt, and black pepper to food processor and scrape sides to make sure all ingredients are incorporated.

2. Turn on processor slowly add 1/2 cup oil. Once added, stop the processor and scrape sides to make sure all ingredients are incorporated.

3. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

4. If pesto is thick,  add more oil while the processor is running.

5. Process pesto once more until it is creamy, about 1 minute.

6. Load the pesto into your preferred containers and store in your chest freezer for up to a year.


We enjoy using our pest for a dip with pretzels or chips.
We also use on homemade pizza.

The link below is where I found helpful tips on growing garlic and the pesto recipe.



14 comments:

  1. Well, this is something new to me. Never heard of garlic scapes! Even the spell checker is disbelieving, and wants me to type either capes or escapes. We have wild scallions that grow in our yard, but I'm not sure if we could eat them.

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  2. Thanks for the info and the recipe with garlic. I wish you all a nice weekend.xoxo

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  3. I have never had garlic pesto! That sounds good. Glad to know that it freezes well, too.
    Hope you have a great weekend and that no one calls you 'garlic breath'...lol xo Diana

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  4. I've never made this before but it would sure be nice to have for so many dishes. Would be good added to the cream cheese on a bagel...oh my! Then you could wear a t shirt that says 'kiss me'! haha! We love garlic! Hugs!

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  5. I'd never even heard of a garlic scape before your post. That's why I love blogging....you learn something new everyday!

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  6. Can you believe I have never had pesto before...never mind garlic pesto. This I must try!!

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  7. I've heard of garlic scapes before now. Thanks for the info! The garlic pesto sounds very good.

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  8. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
    I can taste it from here!

    All the best Jan

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  9. I am a big fan of garlic and pesto, delicious xx

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  10. Oh, that garlic pesto sounds delish! I'm going to have to try growing garlic one of these days--if I ever have a sunny garden again. We get our garlic from our CSA food share. I have a whole bunch of dried ones. Love garlic. :) Thanks for the recipe!

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  11. Looks delicious! I enjoy garlic in my food, but can't make it often as it doesn't agree with my husband :-) Have a wonderful week!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  12. This sounds so good! I sampled a scape this year, and really want to try raising garlic again. We tried raising some last year, but forgot it and thought it was a weed. Oopsie!

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  13. I LOVE scapes - and pesto! Thank you for posting!

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  14. I'll check out the link. We LOVE garlic here! Thanks.

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High Fives from Wisconsin!