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.
39 K 5/5 (1 reviews)
20 min.
Easy
400 g
9 IngredientsLast modified on: September 16th 2020
¼ cup whole almonds
½ cup turnip (or other vegetable) tops
1 
½ teaspoon 
3 tablespoons 
¼ cup 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 ¼ cup 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 ½ cup 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 ¼ cup 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 : 2.15 €
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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: "Au vert" beef, Tenderloin steak with beetroot tops and mushrooms, Turnip top soup, The strange gratin, Super-green, super-thrifty soup, ... See them all 7
Whole almonds
Like these other recipes: X-Files cookies, Kugelhof for Nanou, Indian rice pudding, Piped petits-fours, Crusty pistachio, almond and apricot flan, ... See them all 23
Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
Like these other recipes: Spaghetti Carbonara, Caesar salad, Potimarron and Parmesan tart, Pesto crackers, Seb's Italian-style aperitif slices, ... See them all 54
Olive oil
Like these other recipes: Pitta bread, Cauliflower "moelleux" in ramekins, Express chilli con carne, Hearty leek and sprout soup, Curried tuna cubes, ... See them all 510
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