This site uses only a few technical cookies necessary for its operation. By continuing to browse, you accept their use.
To find out more...
To find out more...
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.
47 K 5/5 (1 reviews)
20 min.
Easy
400 g
9 IngredientsLast modified on: September 16th 2020
50 ml whole almonds
100 ml turnip (or other vegetable) tops
1 
3 ml 
3 tablespoons 
50 ml 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 ml 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 ml 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 ml 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 €
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, Super-green, super-thrifty soup, ... See them all 3
Whole almonds
Like these other recipes: Granola, Chocolate thins with toasted nuts, Grandma Solange's biscuits, Praline, Toasted almond cake, ... See them all 23
Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
Like these other recipes: Broad bean salad with Parmesan, Crispy rolls with chicken and leek, Vegetable tian, Nanou's red cabbage salad, Creamy risotto with vegetables , ... See them all 60
Olive oil
Like these other recipes: Rice à la grecque, Rice with spring greens, Kérinou slices, Feta and spinach brik pie, Creamy risotto with diced vegetables and flax seeds, ... See them all 530
Other recipes you may also like
Almond cream or frangipane
Light and delicious, it is used in a lot of desserts like tarts, cakes and pies (epiphany galette).January 23th 2022466 K 25 45 min.
Toasted flaked almonds
Toasted flaked almonds are the perfect finishing touch for desserts, ice creams in particular, because of their delightful crunch.March 9th 2020331 K4.8 30 min.
Rata-tart
"Rata-tart" is a tart filled with ratatouille and polenta. The layer of polenta in the bottom separates the pastry from the ratatouille and so keeps it crisp.October 27th 201382 K4.2 1 hour 15 min.
Ham à la Russe
Ham "à la Russe" is a slice of cooked ham rolled up around a macédoine of vegetables in mayonnaise.September 10th 2014113 K4.3 8 min.
Roscoff loaf
This speciality bread from Roscoff (a small town in Brittany, northwest France) is enriched with onions, red wine and smoked sausage. What really sets this bread apart is that instead of water, the dough is made with red wine in which the sliced onions are left to soak overnight. The onions are...October 24th 201777 K 13.7 5 hours 20 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-08-24)
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.