Carrot Greens Pesto Recipe
This vibrant Carrot Greens Pesto is a fresh and flavorful twist on traditional pesto, utilizing nutrient-rich carrot tops and spinach for a bright, herbaceous base. Blended with garlic, pine nuts or cashews, olive oil, and parmesan cheese, it offers a creamy and savory sauce perfect for pastas, sandwiches, or as a dip. Easy to prepare in a food processor, this pesto lets you make the most of carrot greens that are often discarded, adding a sustainable and delicious option to your kitchen repertoire.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 1 cup of washed and spun carrot tops
- 1 cup of spinach leaves
- 2 cloves of garlic
Nuts
- ¼ cup of pine nuts or cashews
Dairy
- ½ cup of parmesan cheese
Oils
- ½ cup to ⅔ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Thoroughly wash and dry carrot tops to remove any dirt or grit. Also, wash the spinach leaves and peel the garlic cloves.
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a food processor, add the carrot tops, spinach, garlic, and pine nuts or cashews. Pulse several times until the mixture is finely minced but not pureed, ensuring an even texture.
- Add Olive Oil: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to emulsify the mixture and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Incorporate Cheese: Pulse in the parmesan cheese just until combined. Avoid overprocessing to maintain a slightly textured pesto.
- Rest for Flavor: Transfer the pesto to a bowl or jar and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully before serving.
Notes
- For a nut-free pesto, substitute pine nuts or cashews with toasted sunflower seeds or omit nuts entirely.
- If vegan, replace parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or a plant-based parmesan alternative.
- Store leftover pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top to preserve freshness.
- Use the pesto as a spread, pasta sauce, marinade, or drizzle over vegetables and grilled meats.
- Adjust olive oil quantity to achieve your preferred pesto consistency.
Keywords: carrot greens pesto, carrot top pesto, homemade pesto, vegetable pesto, green sauce, Italian sauce, easy pesto recipe
Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/carrot-greens-pesto-recipe/
