Fructose Free Vegan Garlic Scape Pesto
Garlic scapes are the curly, bright green shoots that grow from hardneck garlic bulbs, and they bring a milder, grassier version of garlic flavor that works beautifully as the backbone of a pesto. Combined with fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and a squeeze of lemon, this blender sauce is vibrant, deeply savory, and genuinely hard to stop eating. Nutritional yeast steps in for parmesan, adding that umami depth without any dairy — and it blends in so seamlessly you'd never know it wasn't the real thing. For anyone navigating fructose sensitivity, traditional pesto can be a minefield since garlic cloves are notoriously high in fructans, but garlic scapes are a gentler alternative that delivers real flavor without the same digestive burden. Toasting the pine nuts first is a small step that pays off big — it draws out their natural oils and adds a warm, nutty richness that anchors the whole sauce. Drizzle it over pasta, spread it on toast, or stir it into roasted vegetables for an easy weeknight upgrade that feels anything but ordinary.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- 6 oz garlic scapes (about 10–12 scapes), roughly chopped
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1–2 tbsp water, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Toast the pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer immediately to a plate to cool.
- 2
Add the garlic scapes, basil, toasted pine nuts, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper to a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and uniform.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!