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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.
56 K 5/5 (1 reviews)
20 min.
Easy
2.15 €
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.
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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.
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, Super-green, super-thrifty soup, Turnip top soup, ... See them all 3
Whole almonds
Like these other recipes: Chinese style chicken, Praline spread, Crusty pistachio, almond and apricot flan, Tomato pesto, Chocolate Truffles, ... See them all 27
Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano)
Like these other recipes: Spicy carrots and turnips roasted with Parmesan cheese, Scallops with green asparagus tips and parmesan, Julia salad, Roast Brussels sprouts with sage and lemon, Brussels sprout salad, ... See them all 65
Olive oil
Like these other recipes: Leek and fresh tuna tart, Pork medallions with "full" turnips, Tomato feuilleté with pesto, Genoese croque-monsieur, Bistro-style red endive salad, ... See them all 556
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