15-Minute Garlic Scape Swiss Chard Pesto
A vibrant green pesto that transforms garlic scapes and Swiss chard into a versatile sauce with bright lemon notes and rich Parmesan depth. The earthy, mild garlic flavor of scapes pairs beautifully with the slightly mineral taste of chard, creating a more complex profile than traditional basil pesto. Perfect for using up early summer garden bounty, this chunky pesto works wonderfully on pasta, stirred into grains, or as a sauce for grilled proteins. The addition of chard adds nutritional value while mellowing the garlic intensity, making it appealing to those who find traditional garlic pesto too strong.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Wash and dry garlic scapes, then cut into short lengths until you have one cup
- 2
Wash, dry, and chop Swiss chard leaves until you have 4 cups
- 3
Process garlic scapes in food processor until finely chopped, about 2-3 minutes
- 4
Add chard and process 2 minutes more, scraping bowl sides as needed
- 5
Add lemon juice, olive oil, and pine nuts, process 2 minutes more
- 6
Add Parmesan and process 1-2 minutes until desired texture is reached
Tips
Freeze pesto in mini muffin tins, then pop out cubes and store in freezer bags for easy portioning
Keep texture slightly chunky rather than completely smooth for better mouthfeel and visual appeal
Process garlic scapes longer than expected as they take time to break down properly
Good to Know
Refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 6 months in portioned containers
Can be made up to 1 week ahead and refrigerated, or frozen for months
Use on pasta, rice, vegetables, eggs, soup, or as sauce for grilled proteins
Common Mistakes
Don't rush garlic scape processing to avoid uneven chunks
Scrape bowl sides regularly to ensure even processing
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Nut-Free Alternatives
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make this without a food processor?
You can use a blender but may need to add extra olive oil for smooth blending, or finely chop by hand for a chunkier texture.
How long does this pesto keep in the refrigerator?
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze in portions for up to 6 months for best quality.
Can I substitute the garlic scapes with regular garlic?
Yes, but use only 3-4 cloves as regular garlic is much stronger than mild garlic scapes, and add with the chard step.