Carrot-Top Pesto

Side Dishes Carrot

How many times have you thrown away those bushy green tops? Instead, try this deliciously peppery, textured pesto. Have it as a condiment with roasted spring carrots, or roasted new potatoes. Or spread it on crostini with a dab of white cheese. Be sure you have fresh, bright green carrot tops. And if you have no basil to add to the mix, try parsley or cilantro and a few fennel greens instead.

April 06, 2016

Ingredients

4 oz trimmed carrot tops (from 1 or 2 bunches), big stems trimmed off
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup (1 oz) walnuts
1 oz fresh basil leaves, chopped (½ cup)
½ oz fresh mint leaves, chopped (½ cup), plus more to taste
¾ tsp sea salt
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to taste
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Carrot Top Pesto by Anna Thomas

Makes about 2 cups

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.

3. Add the olive oil and lemon juice and process the pesto until it is smooth.