Adaptable Green Pesto

Pesto is one of my favorite go-to meal starters so I’ve created an adaptable recipe so you can make it to suit your tastes and the season at hand! Nutty, herbaceous, savory, and bright, pesto is the perfect balance of flavors all wrapped up in a pretty verdant-hued package.

I find it curious what constitutes comfort food from person to person. Sometimes there are memories and stories attached while other times it is something that feels deeply nourishing. Of course “nourishing” is not to be confused with words like “healthy”. In my humble opinion, nourishment runs on a deeper level, satisfying body, mind, and soul. Whereas a bowl of kale might be “healthy”, a bowl of macaroni and cheese or your favorite childhood cereal can be nourishing.

Times of stress and uncertainty, like those we find ourselves in at the moment, often require imbibing our own version of comfort food. Mine tends to fluctuate throughout the year along with the seasons, but one constant is pesto tossed with something carb-y (usually pasta). It’s incredibly easy and quick to put together (just throw everything in the blender!) and I can change it up based on what I have. I think the flavor is what makes it comfort food for me: nutty, herbaceous, savory, and bright. It’s the perfect balance of flavors all wrapped up in a pretty verdant-hued package.

Before we get to the recipe, let me say that this is not traditional pesto by any means. Rather, it’s a pesto-like sauce that that just so happens to also be green! Since I make it based on what I have seasonally, every batch tends to be unique. For instance, the batch photographed was made with half of an avocado rather than olive oil because the store was wiped out of olive oil when I ordered groceries a couple of weeks ago. In addition to my favorite combinations, I’ve included recipe suggestions below in case you’re looking for inspiration for enjoying your pesto!

My Favorite Pesto Combinations & Recipe Suggestions

+ I love using sunflower seeds in the summer. They go really well with baby spinach and flat leaf parsley.

+ Pecans and sage make for a good fall/winter combo along with baby spinach or arugula.

+ Pecans and cilantro are a really delicious combo, especially when paired with earthy root veggies like beets and carrots.

+ Pumpkin seeds make a delicious combo with cilantro as well! I love using this combo as a dip for tortilla chips.

+ Since cashews have a natural sweetness to them, I love them paired with pungent herbs like basil and mint.

+ Tired of pasta? Make these oat flatbreads and top them with your pesto and whatever roasted veg you’ve got. Or, spread your pesto on pizza dough before adding the rest of your toppings.

+ If you love snacking on raw veggies, try mixing your pesto with sour cream or plain unsweetened yogurt for a creamy dip.

+ Eat a lot of sandwiches or avocado toast? Use your pesto as a sandwich spread.

+ If you love lasagna but don’t like tomato sauce, use pesto between the layers instead.

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