Turnip Greens Pesto, a simple root-to-stem recipe using turnip leaves instead of basil to make pesto sauce. Quick, delicious, and a great way to use plant parts that are commonly thrown away.
Wash turnip tops. First, wash the turnip greens by removing from the stem. Submerge them in a bowl of water, then allow them to dry by laying them flat or using a salad spinner.
Blend ingredients. Once the greens are dry, add them to a blender along with pine nuts or seeds and garlic cloves. Pulse until finely chopped while slowly pouring in olive oil. Continue to pulse until the ingredients are well combined, but not completely smooth.
Add nutritional yeast and seasonings. Next, sprinkle in the nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Pulse the ingredients together a few more times until combined. Give the pesto a taste and add more seasonings until you reach your desired taste. Add lemon juice, if desired.
How to serve. Mix some pesto into your favorite pasta, use it as a topping for pizza or sandwiches, or serve as a dip for raw veggies.
Notes
Nuts and seeds? Traditional pesto sauce uses pine nuts, but any nut or seeds will be delicious in this pesto. You can make it with walnuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, or even hemp seeds.
Prep ahead: Make homemade pesto up to 2-3 days before serving, or freeze until ready to use.
Leftovers and storage: Leftover pesto should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, and in the freezer for up to 2 months (possibly longer).