This recipe shows you how to make a collard greens pesto using a mix of almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. This collard pesto is creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor. You can use it to dress pasta, spread on toast, or dip with crackers. It’s a great way to get collard greens nutrition benefits in a new and exciting way.
Watch collard green pesto video:
Table of Contents
Collard Green Pesto in pictures
This image shows the steps to make a delicious Collard Green Pesto. Follow these simple instructions to create your own flavorful pesto.
- Blanche the collard greens.
- Drain the blanched collard greens.
- Toast nuts and seeds until fragrant (3 mins).
- Combine collard greens, olive oil, toasted nuts, seeds, Parmesan, and salt in a food processor.
- Process until smooth, creating a vibrant pesto.
- Adjust consistency with more olive oil and fine-tune taste with additional salt. Enjoy your Nutty Collard Green Pesto!
Collard Greens Pesto Recipe
This pesto is creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor. You can use it to dress pasta, spread on toast, or dip with crackers. It’s a great way to enjoy collard greens in a new and exciting way.
Collard Greens Pesto Extravaganza
Difficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutes40
minutes1
hour10
minutesThis recipe shows you how to make a collard greens pesto with nuts and cheese, using a mix of almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. This pesto is creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor. You can use it to dress pasta, spread on toast, or dip with crackers. It’s a great way to enjoy collard greens in a new and exciting way.
Ingredients
300 grams (10.5 ounces) collard greens
60 milliliters (1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil
50g (1/2 cup) toasted nuts and seeds (e.g. almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds)
50g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
Salt, to taste
Directions
- Wash the collard greens thoroughly in cold water. Chop the leaves into small pieces.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water.
- Add the collard greens to the boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes. Drain the collard greens.
- Toast the nuts and seeds over medium to high heat to release their flavor, about 3 minutes or until they smell toasted.
- Place the blanched collard greens, olive oil, toasted nuts and seeds, grated Parmesan and a pinch of salt in a food processor.
- Process until the ingredients are well combined and you have a smooth pesto consistency.
- If necessary, add a little more olive oil to achieve the desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt to taste.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Store leftover pesto in the refrigerator for up to a week for a quick weeknight meal, to top sandwiches, pizza or avocado toast.
Storing homemade pesto: How to tell if pesto has gone bad?
To keep your pesto from going bad, store it properly.
Pesto that is sold refrigerated should always be kept in the refrigerator and used within 5 to 7 days. Homemade pesto should be refrigerated and used within 4 to 5 days.
You can also freeze your pesto to extend its shelf life. You can freeze it in a jar, ziplock bag, or ice cube tray. However, freezing can affect the texture and color of your pesto, so it may not look or taste as good as fresh pesto.
How do I know if pesto is bad?
Pesto is a sauce made from fresh ingredients. It can go bad over time, especially if you make it yourself or store it improperly. Here are some signs that your pesto has gone bad:
- Mold! If you see fuzzy (or slimy) growth on the surface or inside the jar of pesto, it is spoiled and should be thrown away immediately.
- Smell! If your pesto has a strong sour, or unpleasant odor, it is probably spoiled and should not be consumed.
- Color! If your pesto has changed color from green to brown, black, or yellow, it is oxidized and may have lost its flavor and freshness.
- Taste! If your pesto tastes bitter, harsh, or metallic, it is probably bad and should not be eaten.
How to use collard pesto?
It is versatile and can be used in many ways. Collard pesto can elevate the taste of a wide range of dishes. Experiment and get creative! Here are just few examples:
Collard Greens Plant
Collard greens are a leafy green vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are often cooked with bacon, ham, or smoked turkey, but they can also be used to make a delicious pesto sauce.
- Collard greens are a superfood with many health benefits.
- They are rich in vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting, bone health and inflammation.
- They are high in antioxidants, which protect your body from free radical damage.
- They are a good source of calcium, which strengthens your bones and teeth.
- They are a fibre powerhouse, which aids with weight loss, digestion and blood sugar control.
- Collard greens are a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy your greens. 🌿
More information about Collard Green:
Collard Green, healthy for you?
Collard Green Nutrition facts
7 Benefits of Collard Greens