Springtime is when you’ll often spot swathes of wild garlic carpeting forests and woodland floors. Look for long, shiny, vivid green leaves and clusters of small white star-shaped flowers. Give a leaf a gentle rub between your fingers and you’ll catch that unmistakable garlicky smell straight away.
Foraging for wild garlic is a lovely family activity for a spring walk, and this wild garlic pesto is a simple way to turn your finds into something delicious. It’s wonderful stirred through pasta, spooned into soups, or added to casseroles for a fresh, garlicky kick.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Pine nuts
- Wild garlic leaves
- Parmesan
Method
1. Chop the wild garlic leaves roughly and grate the parmesan.
2. Blend all the ingredients together.
3. Store in a jar in the fridge, where it will keep for a couple of weeks.
Tips for Foraging Wild Garlic with Kids
Wild garlic is easy to identify once you know the signs — the glossy green leaves and starry white flowers are quite distinctive, and the strong garlic scent when you crush a leaf is a helpful check. That said, always be certain of what you’re picking before eating anything foraged, as wild garlic leaves can be confused with other woodland plants that aren’t safe to eat. If you’re ever unsure, it’s best to check with an experienced forager or stick to leaves you can positively identify.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is wild garlic in season?
Wild garlic typically appears in woodlands in early spring and is at its best before it flowers, though you can still use the leaves once the white flowers appear.
How long does wild garlic pesto keep?
Stored in a jar in the fridge, it will keep for a couple of weeks.
Can I freeze wild garlic pesto?
Freezing pesto in small batches, such as in an ice cube tray, is a common way to make it last longer and use it a little at a time. Once frozen, defrost only what you need.
What can I use wild garlic pesto in?
It’s delicious stirred through pasta, added to soups, spooned into casseroles, or spread on bread or crackers.
Can I swap the pine nuts or parmesan?
Yes, many families adapt pesto recipes to suit what they have or any dietary needs — other nuts or a vegetarian hard cheese can work well in place of pine nuts and parmesan.
You Might Also Enjoy
If you love foraging with your family, why not try our Wild Garlic Soup recipe next — another simple way to make the most of spring’s wild garlic season.
Save This for Later
Loved this recipe? Save it to your favourite recipe board or bookmark this page so you can find it again next time wild garlic season comes around.
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