Carrot-top pesto
You will no doubt be familiar with classic pesto. Here is an alternative, zero-waste version using carrot tops for a surprising pesto, full of fresh flavour.
53 K 5/5 (1 reviews)
20 min.
Easy
400 g
9 IngredientsLast modified on: September 16th 2020
50 g whole almonds
200 g turnip (or other vegetable) tops
1 
3 g 
3 tablespoons 
50 g Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 15 min.
Cooking: 5 min.
All in all: 20 min.
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time
Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 5 min.
Put 50 g whole almonds into a small frying pan on medium heat. Toast until just lightly coloured (stir round frequently).
Leave to cool then chop coarsely.
Leave to cool then chop coarsely.
Stage 2
Save 200 g turnip (or other vegetable) tops (carrot tops here). The weight is simply for guidance, so let's just say the tops from a normal bunch of carrots.
Stage 3 - 5 min.
Wash the leaves, cut off the stalks , then drain and dry them in a tea towel or salad spinner.
Stage 4 - 2 min.
Stage 5 - 2 min.
Blend a first time.
Stage 6 - 2 min.
Add 50 g Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano), the almonds, salt and pepper, then blend again.
Add a little more olive oil while still blending (have someone to help if possible), until the mixture is smooth.
Add a little more olive oil while still blending (have someone to help if possible), until the mixture is smooth.
Stage 7
Your carrot-top pesto is ready.
Remarks
You can make different version of this recipe with whatever vegetable tops you have to hand (e.g. radish or turnip), or different nuts (e.g. hazelnuts). Let your imagination lead you.
Keeping: A few days in the fridge in a sealed bottle.
Source: Based on a recipe by chef Angèle Ferreux-Maeght.
Nutritional information
| Proteins (gr) | Carbohydrates (gr) | Fats (gr) | Energy value (in k-calories) | Energy value (in k-joules) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole recipe | 30 RDI=10 % | 20 RDI=2 % | 80 RDI=10 % | 970 RDI=50 % | 4,060 RDI: 50 % |
| Per 100 g | 6 RDI=3 % | 4 RDI=0 % | 20 RDI=3 % | 200 RDI=10 % | 860 RDI: 10 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 400 g : $2.50
Change currency: 
Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
Turnip (or other vegetable) tops
Like these other recipes: Super-green, super-thrifty soup, The strange gratin, Turnip top soup, ... See them all 3
Whole almonds
Like these other recipes: Indian rice pudding, Chocolate Truffles, Apple Batter Puddings, Beetroot and fried chicken salad, Grandma Solange's biscuits, ... See them all 23
Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
Like these other recipes: Roast cabbage with lemon, Mint and pea pesto, Spinach and ricotta ravioli, Parmesan cauliflower cheese, Eggs with green asparagus and Parmesan cheese, ... See them all 62
Olive oil
Like these other recipes: Leek fondue, Spinach and Comté Loaf, Pork escalope with mushrooms and sage cream, Shallot confit tart, Avocado and smoked salmon terrine , ... See them all 534
Other recipes you may also like
Norman flambéed apples
Apples sautéed in butter and sugar, then flambéed in Calvados (from Normandy) and served with real custard. December 30th 201972 K1 40 min.
Plum tart "En passant par la Lorraine"
This tart - with a nod to the French children's song - features produce the Lorraine region is famous for: plums and hazelnuts. The small, sweet mirabelles contrast with the larger plums and make the most of the different varieties. September 1st 201953 K 1 hour 60 min.
Simple mushroom salad with thyme and lemon, 3 ways
This aptly named salad is a breeze because you can enjoy it three different ways: raw, marinated or cooked, all prepared exactly the same way. May 10th 202357 K 9 min.
Blackcurrant and chestnut verrines
Blackcurrants and chestnuts and go together really well, as the tang of the one balances the gentle sweetness of the other. Here they are combined in a verrrine, with a blackcurrant crémeux and chestnut mousse, served with a little sablé biscuit. November 1st 202044 K 1 hour 9 min.
Provençal remoulade sauce
The classic remoulade sauce is, in this recipe, declined in a Provençal version, where we use olive oil and to which we add chopped basil before mixing. You will obtain a classic remoulade texture, but a very typical and fresh taste. September 18th 202233 K 9 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-10-12)
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Follow this recipe
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.