Print

Fresh Dandelion Green Pesto Recipe with Walnuts and Parmesan

fresh dandelion green pesto - featured image
Print Recipe

A vibrant, earthy pesto made from fresh dandelion greens, toasted walnuts, and Parmesan cheese. This easy homemade sauce is perfect for pasta, bread, or roasted vegetables and ready in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups packed dandelion greens, washed and tough stems removed
  • ½ cup toasted walnuts
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse about 4 cups of dandelion greens thoroughly to remove dirt and grit. Pat dry or spin in a salad spinner to remove excess water. Remove any tough stems.
  2. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add ½ cup walnuts and toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  3. Grate ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly.
  4. In a food processor, add the dandelion greens, toasted walnuts, Parmesan, and minced garlic (if using). Pulse a few times to start breaking down the greens.
  5. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Scrape down the sides as needed to blend evenly.
  6. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Pulse a few final times to incorporate seasoning.
  7. Check the consistency; the pesto should be thick but spreadable. If too thick, add a teaspoon of olive oil or water at a time until desired texture is reached.
  8. Use immediately tossed with pasta, spread on bread, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To preserve color, drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top before sealing.

Notes

If dandelion greens taste too bitter, blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds then shock in ice water before blending. Toast walnuts to enhance flavor. Pulse processor to keep some texture. Store with a thin olive oil layer on top to preserve color. Can freeze in ice cube trays.

Nutrition

Keywords: dandelion greens, pesto, walnuts, Parmesan, homemade sauce, easy pesto recipe, wild greens, spring recipe

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/fresh-dandelion-green-pesto-recipe-with-walnuts-and-parmesan-easy-homemade-guide/