Grilling garlic scapes completely transform their taste—they taste almost reminiscent of grilled asparagus. A fantastic and quick way to enjoy these gems from the spring garden.

I love garlic with a passion — vampires beware. This pesto might be a little bold to eat by the spoonful (though you’ll probably catch me doing just that), but tossed with roasted vegetables or stirred into freshly cooked pasta, it’s absolutely divine. Try spreading it on a warm slice of bread… that loaf won’t last long.

A few tips for this recipe: If you cannot find fresh nettles, you can substitute spinach, or your favorite dark greens. Also, make sure you wring out as much water as possible from the cooked nettles.