Carrot-Top Pesto for Earth Month

This recipe that uses the tops of carrots is the ultimate in reduce, reuse and recycle. Use anywhere you use basil pesto. 

By | April 18, 2016

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces trimmed carrot tops (from 1 or 2 bunches), big stems trimmed off
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup (1 oz.) walnuts
  • 1 ounce fresh basil leaves, chopped (1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 ounce fresh mint leaves, chopped (1/2 cup), plus more to taste
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preparation

  1. Pull the fronds of the carrot tops off the stems and discard the stems. Carrot tops have a firm, chewy texture, but the stems are tough. Wash and spin-dry the greens.
  2. Pulse the garlic and walnuts briefly in a food processor, then add the various greens and the salt and pulse again, scraping down the sides of the container as needed, until the greens are finely chopped. Add the olive oil and lemon juice and process the pesto until it is smooth.

    Makes about 2 cups
     

This Recipe is excerpted from Anna Thomas's new book, Vegan Vegetarian Omnivore: Dinner for Everyone at the Table

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Ingredients

  • 4 ounces trimmed carrot tops (from 1 or 2 bunches), big stems trimmed off
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup (1 oz.) walnuts
  • 1 ounce fresh basil leaves, chopped (1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 ounce fresh mint leaves, chopped (1/2 cup), plus more to taste
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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