Arugula Pesto

Yield

Yield: 1½ cups Servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds or pine nuts
  • 3 cups lightly packed arugula (approximately ½ of a bunch)
  • 2 oz or ½ cup shredded Parmesan
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Place the garlic cloves and pumpkin seeds or pine nuts in a food processor.  Process briefly, then add the arugula, shredded Parmesan cheese and a few pinches of salt and black pepper.  Turn the processor on again and, while it’s running, pour the olive oil through the feed tube in a thin, steady stream.  Once all of the oil is incorporated, process until it is a moderately thick paste.  Stop the machine and scrape down the sides as needed to make sure all the ingredients are well-incorporated.
  2. Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.  Refrigerate until you are ready to use.  For best flavor and consistency, bring to room temperature before using.  You can store the pesto in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or put it into smaller quantities and freeze it for later use.

Notes

Arugula pesto can be very pungent if you eat it on its own, but when combined with other foods it becomes very balanced and a complementary ingredient. You can use arugula pesto in a lot of ways.  Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1) Stir a spoonful into scrambled eggs or a frittata.

2) Use arugula pesto as a spread on a hot roast beef sandwich along with garlic mayonnaise, sliced roast beef and melted mozzarella cheese.

3) Spice up your morning bagel by spreading the pesto on top of cream cheese on your bagel.  Top it off with fresh tomato slices.

4) Make a baked potato and top it off with sour cream, bacon bits and a few dollops of arugula pesto.

5) Make an omelet or a crepe with stone ground mustard, arugula pesto, slices of ham and gouda cheese.

6) Pizza with Arugula Pesto, Roasted Butternut Squash & Apples

Recipe by Andrea Yoder

Photo from allrecipes.com

For more amazing recipes featuring vegetables from your CSA boxes, visit our recipe archives!

 

 

Arugula Pesto Picture
Arugula Pesto Picture