Parsley and Walnut Pesto

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
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
Member Ratings and Reviews
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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
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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




