Garlic Scape Pesto and Swiss Chard Garlic Scape Pesto are two pesto recipes that will brighten up your summer dishes. Garlic scapes are one of the most unusual items I’ve learned to love at our local farmer’s market. Milder than garlic, but stronger than onion in flavor and scent, garlic scapes are wonderful in stir-fries and pestos.
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| Toasted Gluten-Free Baguette Slices Topped with Swiss Chard Garlic Scape Pesto and Fresh Tomatoes |
Although I joined a CSAÂ this summer, my first box was a bit light due to poor weather conditions this spring and contained mostly lettuce greens, and no swiss chard or other dark leafy greens.
Swiss chard is one of my favorite vegetables, and since none were to be found in my CSA delivery, I made a stop at the farmer’s market. Last week, I made Pasta with Sauteed Swiss Chard, which my boys enjoyed for dinner one night. Swiss chard is one of the most nutritious vegetables, high in vitamin K, A, C, E, magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, dietary fiber, copper and calcium. Swiss chard contains a wide variety of phytonutrients which provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. In addition, swiss chard  has been shown to help regulate blood sugar, which may provide benefits in diets for people diagnosed with diabetes.
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| Swiss Chard Is One Of The Most Nutritious Vegetables. |
As I was perusing the tables at the farmer’s market, I saw lots of garlic scapes, another early summer favorite. Garlic scapes are only available for a short period of time in the beginning of the season, so I was sure to pick up several bunches to make some Garlic Scape Pesto. Garlic Scape Pesto can be easily frozen, so I like to make a bigger batch and freeze it in smaller portions. During the cooler months, I stir a little Garlic Scape Pesto into soups or stir-fries.
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| Garlic Scapes Have a Short Season, So Be Sure To Snatch Some Up. |
At one of the vendor tables, I saw a sign that suggested making Swiss Chard Pesto. I asked one of the guys at the market what Swiss Chard Pesto was, but he had no idea. I’ve made arugula pesto before, and it is a little bitter, so I was curious what swiss chard would taste like in a pesto form.
After picking up a bunch of swiss chard and some garlic scapes, I  headed back  home to a house of hungry boys. As I thought about how to make Swiss Chard Pesto, I wondered if blanching the swiss chard would eliminate the chalky taste swiss chard can have when eaten raw. Cooking swiss chard is also recommended to reduce the oxalic acid content, which can interfere with absorption of calcium from the body (spinach is also high in oxalic acid). Also, I decided to use just the leaves and save the stems for a stir-fry, as I thought the stems might make the pesto too watery.
The standard ingredients in a traditional pesto are basil, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, pinenuts, salt and pepper. To keep this pesto allergy-friendly (dairy-free, nut-free), I left out the cheese and pinenuts. In place of the basil and garlic, I used blanched swiss chard leaves and garlic scapes.
The verdict? Â “Yummy!” from my little guy, the ultimate judge. I served this Swiss Chard Garlic Scape Pesto bruschetta style, on toasted gluten-free bread, and topped it with some fresh tomatoes and cracked black pepper. After eating his fourth piece, my little guy said, “I don’t think you’re going to let me have another one, right? Those taste so good! Can I have a fifth one later?”
Garlic Scape Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 bunch garlic scapes tough tops trimmed, tender parts cut into 1" pieces
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
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Put garlic scapes into bowl of food processor and process until still slightly chunky.
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Gradually pour olive oil in to feeder tube and continue processing until smooth.
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Season with salt and pepper.
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Store in a container. Top off with a layer of olive oil for best storage.
Recipe Notes
Garlic Scape Pesto can be frozen into smaller portions in ice cube trays, then stirred into a pot of soup when needed.
Add A Spoonful Of  Garlic Scape Pesto To Soups and Stir-Fries.
Swiss Chard Garlic Scape Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 bunch garlic scapes tough parts cut off; tender parts cut into pieces
- 1 bunch Swiss chard leaves only
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
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Blanch swiss chard leaves in boiling water for 30 seconds, just to remove chalky taste. Rinse under cold water and squeeze out water.
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Put blanched swiss chard and garlic scapes in the bowl of a food processor and process until still slightly chunky.
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Gradually pour olive oil in to feeder tube and continue processing until smooth.
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Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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Store in container; top off with olive oil before storing.
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| Swiss Chard Garlic Scape Pesto Would Be Delicious Stirred Into A Bowl Of Hot Pasta. |
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| Dairy-Free Swiss Chard Garlic Scape Pesto with Gluten-Free Pasta Got A Thumbs Up From My Little Guy! |
The Garlic Scape pesto sounds really cool. Does it taste very garlicky? My DH isn't a huge garlic fan; doesn't mind it but doesn't like it to overwhelm. I do love playing with garlic scapes, though!
Anne – garlic scape is not as strong as garlic cloves. In this Swiss Chard Garlic Scape Pesto, the garlic flavor is not as intense since it's mixed with the swiss chard. You can use less garlic scape if you want less garlic flavor.
I've just bought a beautiful bunch of Swiss chard from the farmers market – now I know what to do with it!
Thanks so much
Mary
Your son's reaction made me smile. How sweet. I love that you are finding so many yummies for him to enjoy as well. I am so intrigued by this recipe since I've never heard of garlic scape before. The bruschetta looks incredible. Yummy! My kind of snack or lunch.
i love pesto!! this looks soo good. i haven't heard of garlic scape before either….seriously, i love how you make all your healthy food look so good. even as simple as a pasta. amazing.
Thanks Junia – I just came across garlic scape a few years ago at the farmer's market. It is milder than garlic cloves and very pretty in a pesto sauce. Just warmed up some of the pasta with Swiss Chard Garlic Scape Pesto for my boys' lunch, along with bruschetta spread with more of the pesto and topped with fresh tomatoes.
That all looks so delicious!
another pesto recipe for me to try!
I've never hear of garlic scapes though…
hmmm
I have garlic scapes in my garden and I'm always looking for new ways to use them. Thanks!
I love garlic scape pesto, and the chard is a nice and healthy addition. Great photos too!
Swiss chard is absolutely my favorite leafy green! I've even got some garlic scapes in teh fridge so those pesto crostinis are so going to be made!
oh this is such a great idea! I pick-up my CSA today and had the same thing happen last week and am expecting it again -I know garlic scapes will be in the mix so this is a perfect idea! thanks!
I'd never have thought to make pesto out of Swiss chard ! Brilliant! Do you think I could use garlic instead of garlic scape, just like regular basil pesto?
Oh my goodness! All I know is that I have NEVER made pesto with garlic scape or swiss chard, BUT I will be making it as soon as I can. What a brilliant idea and completely healthy! 😉
Glad everyone is liking this Swiss Chard and Garlic Scape Pesto – my batch is all gone and I'm going to make some more!
Rivki – You could probably substitute some garlic for the garlic scape, but garlic cloves are much stronger than garlic scape, so I would definitely use less. You might try adding some fresh basil just to round out the texture since the swiss chard is blanched.
I love this pesto idea! I love swiss chard but have not seen in my CSA box either. You have great tips Jeanette… I would not have thought that the stems would make it too watery!
What lovely twists on the usual basil pesto. I bet both of these would be heaven on pasta. 😉
What a gorgeous post and wonderful blog. So happy I dropped in to discover it!
MMMMM! That looks so good…it's gorgeous! I can get on this asap! I have garlic scapes in my garden ready to be picked. 🙂
I've used swiss chard in a variety of ways, but never in a pesto! Brilliant! I love how you think 🙂 Congrats on the Top 9!
Oohhh these both sound so good! I love swiss chard and pestos of all kinds. So glad to have found your blog and congrats on the top 9!
Thanks all! I am excited that healthy foods can make their way onto the Foodbuzz Top 9 list amidst all the beautiful cakes and cookies!
Hi! I stumbled upon your blog [because of Foodbuzz]! I love the healthy foods you produce. Especially with the food allergies with your little kiddo(s)!
Thanks Kathy – I've found that cooking for my son has made me that much more aware of what I cook with, the simpler the better.
Gorgeous photos!
made it and loved it. My CSA had garlicscapes and chard this week!
I used almonds (no walnuts here) and half lemon juice half oil to reduce some of the fat.
I confess I ate it off the spatula and on my fingers, now I have to taste it on pasta
thanks
Glad you enjoyed this pesto and love your modifications. I used the Swiss Chard Garlic Scape Pesto tonight, adding in some cilantro from my CSA Box, and tossed it with some hot pasta, kalamata olives and tomatoes – my kids loved it!
Jeanette, thank you for putting the garlic scape pesto and swiss chard garlic scape pesto up for me to have… I was unfamiliar with scapes until I saw a recipe on pinterest, which directed me to your blog… and now I think I could be hooked… thank you again…. happy cooking……. Roxanne