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.
40 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.
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 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 €
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: The strange gratin, Turnip top soup, Gratin of beet tops and potatoes, "Au vert" beef, Polenta with beetroot tops, ... See them all 7
Whole almonds
Like these other recipes: Granola, Piped petits-fours, Praline rochers, Frozen nougat, Kugelhof for Nanou, ... See them all 23
Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
Like these other recipes: Harichou salad, Scallops with green asparagus tips and parmesan, Spaghetti Carbonara, Spaghetti with tomatoes and pesto, Spinach and chick peas "à la milanaise", ... See them all 55
Olive oil
Like these other recipes: Potato tortilla (Spanish omelette), Thin endive tart, Pan-fried scallops and chanterelles with Noilly Prat sauce, Tahitian style fish, Red sea bream fillets in a soy-sauce marinade, ... See them all 512
Other recipes you may also like
Pistachio powder or paste
Pistachio paste has a similar texture to almond paste, but the similarity ends there, as its flavour and colour are quite characteristic.October 13th 2010374 K 154 50 min.
Pains briochés aux raisins
This classic French "viennoiserie" is a sweet bun containing confectioner's custard (crème pâtissière) and rum-soaked raisins. It demands a bit of skill, but is not too complicated.September 12th 2018137 K4.8 2 hours 40 min.
Crunchy courgette and mushroom salad
This very simple salad contains a mix of crunchy raw ingredients, balanced by the softer texture of tuna, and dressed with mayonnaise.May 10th 202343 K 45 min.
Bouchées montagnardes
Literally "mountain mouthfuls" in French, these canapés combine ingredients from the mountainous region of eastern France: Morteau sausage, Morbier cheese and mushrooms. They make a hearty aperitif snack or are ideal for an informal supper.May 18th 202222 K 30 min.
Gratin of leeks with Morbier cheese
In this recipe of gratin, without potatoes, sliced leeks are bound with a cream with Morbier cheese.April 16th 202318 K 1 hour
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-02-02)
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.