SPICY CARROT TOP PESTO
About 1 cup

If you purchase carrots that still have fresh greens attached, try making this pesto. Use as a sandwich spread, slather on toast with sliced tomatoes and avocado, or thin it out with more oil and lemon juice to make a quick sauce for vegetables.

Trim the tops from:

  • 1 large bunch carrots

Pick the frond-like leaves from the tough stems and discard the stems. Measure the leaves. You should have about 2 packed cups. If not, you can fill out the rest with fresh parsley leaves or simply make a half-batch of this recipe. Place the leaves in a food processor along with:

  • ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano, Manchego, or Parmesan (2 ounces)
  • ⅓ cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
  • 1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
  • (½ teaspoon Espelette, Urfa, or Marash chile flakes)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Process to a coarse paste. With the machine running, slowly add:

  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Use within 1 week.

Own a physical copy? Find this recipe on page 586.

Savory Sauces, Salad Dressings, Marinades, and Seasoning Blends