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
200 g
9 IngredientsLast modified on: September 16th 2020
25 g whole almonds
100 g turnip (or other vegetable) tops
½ 
1.5 g 
1.5 tablespoon 
25 g Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 15 min.
Cooking: 5 min.
All in all: 20 min.
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Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 5 min.
Put 25 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 100 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 25 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 | 20 RDI=6 % | 10 RDI=1 % | 40 RDI=6 % | 490 RDI=20 % | 2,030 RDI: 20 % |
| Per 100 g | 6 RDI=3 % | 4 RDI=0 % | 20 RDI=3 % | 200 RDI=10 % | 860 RDI: 10 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 200 g : 1.10 €
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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: Turnip top soup, The strange gratin, Super-green, super-thrifty soup, ... See them all 3
Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
Like these other recipes: Tomato feuilleté with pesto, Scallops with green asparagus tips and parmesan, Mint and pea pesto, Parmesan cauliflower cheese, Gnocchi alla romana, ... See them all 62
Whole almonds
Like these other recipes: X-Files cookies, Chocolate thins with toasted nuts, Kugelhof for Nanou, Chocolate Truffles, Toasted almond cake, ... See them all 23
Olive oil
Like these other recipes: Coq au vin, Purple artichokes braised in white wine, Pitta bread, Paté en croute (terrine in a pie crust), Cauliflower and avocado rémoulade, ... See them all 534
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