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Home ยป Recipes ยป Italian

Carrot Tops Basil Pesto Easy Delicious

Published: Aug 21, 2021 ยท Modified: Jun 21, 2024 by Lisa Keys ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 4 Comments

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Last Updated on June 21, 2024 by Lisa Keys

fresh carrot tops

It's quite by accident that I am featuring a recipe for Carrot Tops Basil Pesto today. You see I can be a dumb gardener at times. In my haste to get some carrot seeds into the garden I did not quite spread the seeds far enough apart. Truth is I didn't even try. It was an outdated package of seeds and I had no expectations of any of the seeds germinating. I just tore open the seed packet, shook it over some dirt and hoped to get a couple of carrots.

carrot tops basil pesto
carrot tops and basil pesto

Ha! The joke is on me. Hundreds of seeds germinated and it was clear there would be no carrots unless I thinned the young herd. As I pulled, the carrots' tops emitted the most lovely fragrance. My nose advised my mouth to take a bite of the lush greenery and the rest is history. Fresh pesto coming up.

pizza with carrot tops basil pesto
roasted broccoli and tomato pizza with carrot tops basil pesto

Needless to say, this carrot tops concoction is delicious on pizza, pasta and sandwiches. I simply tossed all the ingredients into a food processor including a few things that you might not find typical to pesto. Since carrot tops are light and sweet I knew I would need to balance them out. While roasted pistachio nuts added a rich texture, a little fresh lemon juice added a bright acidity to make the perfect blend.

Carrot tops basil pesto.

Carrot Tops Basil Pesto

Lisa Keys
carrot tops basil pesto is easy delicious on pizza, pasta or as a sandwich spread
4 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course healthy
Cuisine Italian
Servings 1 cup
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 cup packed young carrot tops including stems
  • ยผ cup fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons roasted pistachio nuts
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ยฝ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ยผ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ยฝ cup extra virgin olive oil or to your desired consistency

Instructions
 

  • In food processor with metal blade, drop garlic through feed tube while processor is running. Add carrot tops, basil and nuts; pulse until chopped. Add lemon juice, cheese and salt; pulse until mixed in. With processor running add enough oil to create a smooth paste. Makes 1 cup.

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 2gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 29mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 74IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 1mg
Keyword 4th of July, carrot tops, condiment, fresh pesto, gardening mishap, Italian food
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Now, if you are not a gardener and wondering where to get fresh carrot tops...head to your nearest farm stand or organic grocer. You may never make the classic pesto again.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    4 from 1 vote

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    Recipe Rating





  1. Ronna F

    August 23, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    Very interesting Lisa and great information!!!! I'll try it....someday!!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      August 23, 2021 at 4:59 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Ronna and for commenting. I so appreciate you being here. I hope you give the carrot top pesto a try.

      Reply
  2. d4v1d

    July 22, 2022 at 12:32 pm

    4 stars
    I think the ratio of basil to carrot tops will result in a more bitter flavor profile - i found I needed half carrot tops half basil before it found a balance point. I used 1 tbsp of miso instead of salt and I like the result. The lemon is a nice touch - brightened up the final result.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      July 22, 2022 at 6:30 pm

      This is a really well thought out idea. I love the addition of miso. Did you use white miso? When I created this recipe I used very young carrot tops as I was thinning my garden. The carrot tops were quite sweet without bitterness. If you are using more mature grown tops from fully grown carrots I imagine they could be bitter. Thank you for explaining how you made adjustments. I really do appreciate it.

      Reply

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