This simple carrot top pesto recipe is a delicious way to use every part of the carrot! With loads of carrot greens and a handful of fresh basil, this homemade pesto has a fresh flavor and takes only minutes to make.
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Are carrot tops good for you?
So, you have a bunch of carrots that still have their green, leafy tops on them. Can you eat carrot tops? Yes, you definitely can! The leaves of carrot tops are edible and very nutritious. They are loaded with vitamin C and are also a good source of potassium and calcium. And by eating carrot tops, you are reducing food waste which is always a great goal to keep in mind in the kitchen!
How do you keep carrot tops fresh?
If you are anything like me, you are pressed for time. I don’t always have time to make carrot top pesto as soon as I cut the tops off the carrots. So, how do you keep carrot tops fresh until you are ready to use them? Slice them off the carrots, rinse under cold water, and then fill a glass with water. Stick the carrot tops into the glass of water just like you would a bunch of cut flowers. They won’t stay good for long, however, so use them within a couple of days.
Like this carrot top pesto recipe? Try these carrot recipes, too!
- Oven Roasted Maple Glazed Carrots with Fresh Thyme
- Zucchini Carrot Slaw
- Vegan Creamy Carrot Soup Recipe with Curry and Coconut Milk
Can you freeze carrot tops to make them last longer? You can, just try to make sure that most of the water is shaken off the carrot tops. Then, place them in a ziploc bag and put them in the freezer. You can also make this homemade pesto in minutes, and then freeze THAT back in small containers until you want to use it.
What can you make with carrot tops besides pesto?
Treat carrot tops like any other greenery. Wash it, shake it dry, and use in everything from homemade green smoothies to salads. You can also use fresh carrot greens in spice rubs for meat, vegetable juice or even herbal teas.
Carrot Pesto Ingredients
The ingredients for this carrot pesto are very similar to traditional pesto recipes. I even used a small handful of fresh basil to give it a more traditional taste. Some carrot top pesto recipes don’t use basil at all. This is something you can play with, depending on your taste preferences. Here are the ingredients you will need to make this pesto recipe:
- Carrot Tops: About 2 cups. This was about 1 small bunch of carrots worth.
- Walnuts (pecans or pine nuts will also work)
- Garlic Cloves, the more the merrier!
- Basil (fresh!)
- Parmesan Cheese
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to make pesto with carrot tops
Starting with your fresh carrot tops, rinse them under cold water. Shake gently to remove excess water and lay on a clean towel to drain.
Measure out all the other ingredients and place them in a food processor. Coarsely chop the carrot tops and add those to the food processor as well. Pulse the ingredients until they start to come together.
Add more olive oil if needed for a thinner consistency. You will have to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally with a spatula. Just push it back towards the bottom of the bowl.
Simple Carrot Top Pesto Recipe
This simple carrot top pesto recipe has a fresh flavor and takes minutes to make. It’s a great way to reduce food waste and use every part of the carrot. Check out Oh My Veggies for more ideas on what to make with carrot greens. You can check out my recipe for parsley pesto if you are looking for more unique pesto recipes.
Simple Carrot Top Pesto Recipe
This simple carrot top pesto recipe has a fresh flavor and takes minutes to make. It's a great way to reduce food waste and use every part of the carrot.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Carrot Tops
- 1/3 cup walnuts
- 3 Garlic Cloves
- 1/4 cup fresh Basil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse and coarsely chop carrot tops
- Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until smooth, scraping sides as necessary.
- Add additional olive oil if needed for thinner consistency.
- Serve with fresh pasta or freeze for later use.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 112Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 193mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 4g
Nutrition information not always accurate
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire and has worked in cancer research, academics, and biotechnology. Concern over the growing incidence of human disease and the birth of her children led her to begin living a more natural life. She quickly realized that the information she was learning along the way could be beneficial to many others and started blogging and freelance writing to share this knowledge with others. Learn more about her HERE.