Ramps Pesto
Brighten up your meals with the fresh, garlicky flavor of homemade ramps pesto, a vibrant twist on the classic Italian sauce that celebrates the seasonal beauty of wild leeks. This easy-to-make recipe combines the bold, oniony essence of ramps with fragrant basil, nutty Parmesan cheese, and rich pine nuts (or walnuts) for a luxurious, creamy texture. A hint of lemon juice adds a zesty kick, while extra virgin olive oil ties everything together into a silky, herbaceous blend. Ready in just 10 minutes with no cooking required, this versatile pesto is perfect as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, or decadent topping for roasted vegetables and grilled proteins. Capture the fleeting flavors of spring with this irresistibly earthy and aromatic condiment!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups ramps (wild leeks), cleaned and trimmed
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cup pine nuts (or walnuts)
- 2 pieces garlic cloves, peeled
- 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Place the ramps, basil leaves, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic cloves into a food processor or blender.
Pulse a few times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and combined.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and blend until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
Add the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Pulse again to incorporate the seasonings evenly.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your liking.
Transfer the pesto to a clean jar or bowl and use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Use as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, or a flavorful topping for proteins and vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1496 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 144.1 g | 185% | |
| Saturated Fat | 25.4 g | 127% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 1892 mg | 82% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 42.2 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.3 g | 51% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.5 g | ||
| Protein | 28.1 g | 56% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 609 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 15.3 mg | 85% | |
| Potassium | 1753 mg | 37% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
