Carrot Top Pesto
This carrot top pesto is the perfect way to use up your carrot tops! Chunky, zesty, and packed full of flavour! Reduce waste today!
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 278kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups carrot tops fresh, leaves removed
- 1 cup basil leaves
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
- ½ cup cashews
- ¼ cup olive oil note 2
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Harvest carrot top leaves, rinse well and leave to dry out.
- In a food processor, place carrot tops, basil, parmesan, cashews and alt and pulse, on and off 30 seconds.
- Add in lemon juice and zest.
- With motor running, slowly add the olive oil.
- Blitz pesto for about 1-2 minutes, until pesto has reached desired texture (note 3)
Notes
Note 1 - we used the tops of those little dutch carrots and get them from the local farmers market. The fresher the better, and organic if possible. They will wilt quickly, so it's best to make this immediately after you've bought the carrots.
Note 2 - ⅜'s of a cup is almost half a cup of olive oil, but just less than a third! yes that is confusing, but start with a ¼ of a cup, then add more oil 1 tablespoon at a time! This pesto is thick, if you want an oiler pesto I would cut back on the carrot top, or maybe up the olive oil quanitity.
Note 3 - we like ours a little chunky, but not overly smooth! It's a personal thing!
Nutrition
Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 456mg | Potassium: 82mg | Vitamin A: 245IU | Vitamin C: 127.5mg | Calcium: 597mg | Iron: 14.8mg
