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–+ servings
A white bowl of pesto on a white table table.

Carrot Top Pesto Sauce

Kristina Todini, RDN
Carrot Top Pesto Sauce, a simple pesto recipe made from fresh carrot greens, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, garlic, and oil. A unique food waste recovery recipe!
4.52 stars (43 ratings)
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Sauces, Dressings + Dips
Cuisine Italian-Inspired
Servings 8 servings
Calories 194 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups carrot tops and stems chopped (from about 8 medium carrots)
  • ⅓ cup pine nuts or seed of choice
  • 2 whole garlic cloves
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
  • ⅛ teaspoon quality sea salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Wash and prep carrot greens: Start cutting carrot greens from the stem and washing by running under water or soaking in a bowl of water. Use a salad spinner to dry it or lay the carrot tops flat on a plate or kitchen towel.
  • Blend the greens, nuts, garlic, and oil: Toss the cleaned and dried carrot leaves in a food processor. Next, add nuts/seeds and garlic cloves. Pulse until finely chopped, slowly drizzling in olive oil until the chopped ingredients are well coated in oil but still chunky.
  • Add cheese and spices to season: Finish by adding in parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast if vegan), salt, and pepper. Give the pesto a taste and add more seasonings until it's flavored to your liking

Notes

  • Food waste tips: Use both carrot tops and stems in this recipe to create less waste. Both the carrot greens and their stems are perfectly edible and delicious in pesto.
  • Make it vegan: Omit the cheese and opt for nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan cheese to make this recipe plant-based.
  • Nuts or seeds? Traditional pesto sauce uses pine nuts, but any nuts or seeds are perfect for pesto.
  • Tools Needed: food processor or blender, knife set, cutting board, salad spinner
  • Leftovers & Storage: store pesto in airtight container in refrigerator for up to one week; freeze for up to two months (possibly longer)
  • Nutrition: This carrot top pesto is a good source of vitamin and calcium, and is high in protein per serving. It is also rich in healthy fats, which increase satiety and play a role in cell health.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 194kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 4gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 137mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 51IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 127mgIron: 2mg
Keyword carrot greens, carrot top pesto
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