Beet Tops Pesto Food

BEET-GREEN PESTO

Steps:

• Pistachios: Toast pistachios in a skillet over low heat until they're light brown in spots, with a toasty aroma, 2-3 minutes.
• Greens: Pull leaves from stems and wash thoroughly (they can be sandy). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and blanch the greens for 20 seconds (to preserve their color). Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a bowl of ice water (to stop the cooking).
• Pesto: Purée the pistachios, garlic, and oil in a food processor until nuts are combined with the oil but still chunky (you don't want to make nut butter). Remove greens from the ice water and squeeze out excess water. Roughly chop them and add to the food processor with a pinch of salt. Pulse to combine, leaving the pesto slightly chunky. Taste for seasoning. Push down the sides of the bowl and pulse 5 more seconds.
• Assembly: Toss half of the pesto with the cooked penne, adding more as needed. Serve immediately.

BEET GREENS PESTO RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash beet tops: First, wash beet greens by cutting them from the stem and then soaking in a bowl of water. Remove from water and either dry by laying out flat or using a salad spinner.
• Blend ingredients: Add washed and dried beet tops, pine nuts or seeds, and garlic cloves to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Slowly add in oil and continue pulsing until well combined, but not completely smooth.
• Add cheese and spices to taste: Next, add cheese (or nutritional yeast), salt, and pepper and pulse a few more times until combined. Taste the pesto and add more if needed to desired taste.
• How to serve: Use pesto as a sauce with your favorite pasta, mixed into your favorite vegetable soup, or even as a dip with fresh vegetable crudités.

BEETS WITH WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Cut off the leafy tops of the beets, leaving about 1/2-inch of the stem, and reserve them for another use. Wash the beets well to remove all of the sand. Peel with a vegetable peeler while wearing gloves.
• Cover the peeled beets with cold water in a medium saucepan and salt generously. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat to medium and cook until fork-tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain the beets into a colander and cut them into quarters.
• Meanwhile, combine the parsley, walnuts and garlic in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the olive oil and process until smooth. Stir in the Pecorino and vinegar and season with salt.
• Toss the beets in a bowl with some of the pesto. Transfer the remaining pesto to a small ramekin and serve the beets with more pesto on top.

BEET TOPS PESTO

Steps:

• Toss the greens, walnuts, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, and lemon juice and zest in a blender or food processor. Blend them all together until everything is chopped up.
• With the blender or food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until the sauce is smooth. Season to taste with salt (start with a couple pinches).

VEGGIE TOP PESTO

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the nuts and garlic and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the carrot fronds, beet greens, celery leaves and Parmesan and pulse until finely ground. With the food processor running, add the oil and red pepper flakes. Taste, then season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer to a resealable container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks (or freeze for up to 3 months).