Beet Green Pesto

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This beet green pesto is the perfect way to use up all those pesky beet tops. Full of vitamins and minerals this pesto is perfect on pasta, toasted bread and even when used as a delicious topping for grilled meats. You’ll love how easy this pesto comes together! 

This post may not be for everyone.  I apologize. However, this beet green pesto is really really really good so you shouldn’t judge a book by it cover….or a recipe by its title. Beets are delicious and their greens are even more delicious!

I was not in the mood for sautéed greens so I decided to use these bad boys in pesto.  Pesto is the best because you can throw almost any green vegetable or herb, cheese and nut in a food processor, add some oil and boom you have pesto.  For this pesto, I used blanched beet greens, a little basil, garlic, toasted hazelnuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and olive oil. The pesto was earthy and paired lovely with pasta. Which is exactly how I served it. I thought the pesto pasta was delicious but I’m not going to lie. Art didn’t really enjoy the dish. His exact words “there is nothing wrong with the pesto I just don’t think it’s my thing.”  

I’m pretty certain it’s just because no matter how hard you try beets just have a bit of earthiness to them that some people love and other’s don’t. Me? I LOVE it! My husband – nope. Can’t win them all – am I right?

Looking for even more pesto recipes? Try my Garlic Scape Pesto, Grilled Lamb Chops with Pistachio Mint Pesto, Turkey Cranberry Pesto Panini, Pesto Chicken Caprese Pasta, Pesto Tuna Baguette Sandwich or my Grilled Chicken Pesto Panini

Beet Green Pesto

This beet green pesto is the perfect way to use up all those pesky beet tops. Full of vitamins and minerals this pesto is perfect on pasta, toasted bread and even when used as a delicious topping for grilled meats. You'll love how easy this pesto comes together!

Yield: 1 cup pesto

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute

Total Time: 16 minutes plus time for chilling

Ingredients:

• Beet greens, from about 6 beets
• 1/2 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 3/4 cup olive oil (more or less depending on taste and texture)
• Kosher salt
• Fresh cracked pepper

Source: Nutmeg Nanny

Directions:

Blanch beet greens and squeeze water from the greens. Add the greens, basil garlic and hazelnuts to a blender or food processor. Process for just a few seconds to start breaking down the nuts and greens. Add Parmigiano-Reggiano and stream in olive oil till desired consistency is reached. Season with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper.

To blanch greens you simply cut away any woody stems and just use the green portion of the stems. Wash thoroughly and set aside. Get a large pot and put it on the stove until boiling. Set another large bowl full of ice water next to the stove. Add greens to boiling water, leave in for 10 seconds, remove and immediately put into ice water. Then drain. Blanching helps soften the beet greens without losing the color.