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Parsley and Walnut Pesto

Cooking Light
Parsley and Walnut Pesto
Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
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Worthy of a Special Occasion

Pair with rich fish like salmon or trout (good sources of healthful omega-3 fatty acids), white-meat poultry (low in saturated fat), or pasta. You can also stir a bit into minestrone or steamed rice. Hearty walnuts add polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, while olive oil is a good source of monounsaturated fats. Since a little of this zesty spread goes a long way, you may want to freeze leftover pesto in ice cube trays overnight and then transfer to a zip-top plastic bag. The bright flavor should last for up to three months.

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 1 tablespoon)

Ingredients

  • 3  cups  fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (about 2 1/2 ounces)
  • 1/2  cup  chopped walnuts, toasted
  • 3  tablespoons  olive oil
  • 1  tablespoon  fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2  teaspoon  salt
  • 1/2  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
  • 3  garlic cloves, chopped

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth.

Nutritional Information

Calories:
69 (87% from fat)
Fat:
6.7g (sat 0.8g,mono 2.9g,poly 2.7g)
Protein:
1.3g
Carbohydrate:
2g
Fiber:
0.9g
Cholesterol:
0.0mg
Iron:
1.1mg
Sodium:
156mg
Calcium:
27mg
Jaime Harder, MA, RD, Cooking Light, APRIL 2008

Member Ratings and Reviews

5 stars
www.healthyfoodforliving.com
What a refreshing and delicious spin on traditional pesto! The parsley and walnuts are an original and tasty departure from the typical basil and pine nuts. I have made this pesto many times in the past, and will continue to do so in the future. *I have subbed in cilantro for the parsley with positive results*11/26/09

5 stars
sirrah231
We used curly parsley and toasted the walnuts in a pan on the stove. Also tossed with fettuccine, but it coated the noodles fine without using any cooking liquid. This was tasty, but nothing special. Definitely more economical than basil-based pestos, but not the same robust, bold flavor you typically expect from pesto. Still, it was simple to make and I'd probably try it again.06/25/09