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How to Keep Pesto Bright Green | The Recipe ReDux

How to Keep Pesto Bright Green | The Recipe ReDux

The secret ingredient that will keep your pesto a brilliant bright green every time.

How to make pesto green | TeaspoonOfSpice.com

{Disclosure: As co-owners of The Recipe ReDux, we were compensated to manage this National Pasta Association contest. We are not eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. Thoughts and opinions are my own.}

These’s a secret ingredient that’s in season right now that will keep the pesto for your pasta from turning brownish-green.

Carrot tops.

What? You you didn’t know carrot tops were edible? And if you thought carrots were a spring veggie, instead of fall/winter veggies, you’re not alone.

But according to my father – a farmer – carrots should never be harvested before the first frost; the cold snap concentrates the sugars into the root as the plant prepares to hold out for the winter.

So we decided to test out Dad’s wisdom by planting a few carrots over summer and here’s what happened:

  • Test #1: My 4 year old son came running into the kitchen one day dragging a bunch of dirty roots and bright green stems. “Mommy, look at the carrots I picked!” He was so proud. (: But when we washed and tasted the carrots, “They taste like dirt.” “I like the carrots from the store better.”
  • Test #2: Last week it got down to 39°; not quite a 32° frost. But we decided to do an unofficial ‘carrot tasting’ again. The results: “Mom, these carrots still taste a little bit like dirt, but mostly they are better than those first ones we picked.” OK, not a ringing endorsement. But they were right; the carrots did taste sweeter after the cold snap.

Now, what to do with those big beautiful carrot tops…

How to Keep Pasta Green | TeaspoonOfSpice.com

We made pesto. And discovered, surprise: Carrot tops in pesto magically keep it brilliant bright green – instead of turning a dull canned pea color.

This is my best dietitian guess for why: Carrots are high in two powerful antioxidants vitamin A and vitamin C; so carrot tops probably have these antioxidants too which prevent the basil from oxidizing and turning brown.

Upon a bit more research, I discovered in this Cooking Light article, I had also probably been whizzing my pasta to death: Pulse – do not blend, and pulse only about 2-3 times. You could use parsley or spinach to preserve the green color; like I use carrot tops here.

Of course, there is no more delicious way to use pesto than on a simple bowl of pasta. October happens to be National Pasta Month – so The Recipe ReDux is partnering with the National Pasta Association to explore all the ways #pastafits. But in my house, pasta is:

  • Always in my pantry
  • Always affordable
  • Always a way to help my kids enjoy any veggie – by placing it on pasta
  • And – unlike carrot tops – pasta is ALWAYS in season

How to Keep Pesto Green

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How to make pesto green | TeaspoonOfSpice.com

Bright Green Pasta Pesto with Crispy Ham


  • Author: by Serena Ball, RD
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

The secret ingredient that will keep your pesto a brilliant bright green every time.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ounces thin deli ham, cut into thin ribbon slices
  • 1 (12-13 oz) box tri-colored rotini pasta
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3 tablespoons aged cheese (such as Parmesan; I used Cabot aged Cheddar)
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup (lightly packed) basil leaves
  • 1 cup (lightly packed) carrot top leaves

Instructions

  1. In a dry skillet, cook ham until most slices are golden brown and crispy.
  2. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain, reserving about 1/2 cup pasta water. Keep pasta warm.
  3. While pasta is cooking, place all remaining ingredients except carrot and basil leaves in food processor; push 5 times.
  4. Add carrot leaves and basil leaves. Pulse just a few times- about 2-3 times – until pesto is combined and leaves are finely chopped.
  5. Place pasta in serving bowl and stir in amount of desired pesto; add a little pasta water if pasta seems dry. Top with crispy ham.

And speaking of seasonal, make a batch of this pesto to freeze and use on pasta all winter long…before all the basil and carrot tops at the market are gone.

Do you make pesto for pasta? Do you eat pasta all year long?

Looking for more healthy comfort food – or carb loading for running a race – check out pasta dishes galore:

Cheesy Mushroom Lasagna

Cheesy Mushroom Lasagna - Teaspoonofspice.com

Pasta with Caper Alfredo Sauce

Pasta with Tomato Alfredo Sauce

 Poached Fennel & Salmon over Linguine

Poached Fennel Salmon Linguine- Teaspoonofspice.com


Chef Devaux

Tuesday 1st of December 2015

What a beautiful picture and it's looking so delicious. I have to make this pesto recipe.

Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl

Saturday 11th of October 2014

Lovely recipe and pretty pictures. I love us some pesto, lately I've been enjoying soybean pesto with our garden grown soybeans.. it's delicious!

Serena Ball

Sunday 12th of October 2014

How fun you grew soybeans - bet they taste way better than the frozen ones I get! And great idea for soybean pesto. I must try that. Bet it keeps bright green too. Thanks for stopping by Pamela!

Katherine Baker

Saturday 11th of October 2014

Yes!! I love this! Creative and fun :)

Serena Ball

Saturday 11th of October 2014

It is fun to make pesto, right Katherine. So many combos of nuts, cheese, herbs, even veggies like kale, carrot tops, spinach. A great mish-mach!

Liz - Meal Makeover Mom

Friday 10th of October 2014

What a cool tip. I needed that! Pinning NOW :)

Serena Ball

Saturday 11th of October 2014

Thanks Liz. The less-whizzes was key to me too!

Rachael@AnAvocadoADay

Friday 10th of October 2014

So smart! I usually throw my carrot tops in the compost pile! I always feel guilty doing it becuase I know there's got to be some way to use them!

Serena Ball

Saturday 11th of October 2014

Hey, now you know Rachael! (:

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