10 Ways to Use Pesto

Pesto can be made with all kinds of greens — not just basil.

If you’ve been taking our advice in our CSA tutorials, you’ve been producing a lot of pesto with your overload of greens. (One of our top vegetable exit strategies).  

But what in the world are you going to do with all of it now that you’ve made it?

I mean, there’s only so much pasta you can eat!

Pesto can be a great exit strategy for a large variety of greens and herbs during the CSA season. Our members can often be found making pesto with a long list of greens from various vegetables: carrot tops, turnip greens, basil, beet tops, spinach, kale, radish greens, etc. Pesto can be made quickly and thrown into the freezer for use months later!

Often we associate with pesto with pasta…but this does not have to be the case! I love having pesto on hand all the time to throw some flavor and nutrition into other favorite dishes (ssssshhhhh… don’t tell anyone).

Here are 10 ways you can use up your pesto stockpile!

1. Top your eggs, or your entire breakfast. Drizzle some pesto over your scrambled eggs, or add to a quiche or frittata. Make your waffles or pancakes more savory, skip the sugar, and add some pesto to the batter.
2. Make a dip, or add to one. Mix pesto with hummus, sour cream, greek yogurt or guacamole for  a change!
3. Make a dressing or a sauce. Thin your pesto with a little more oil and some vinegar to use on a salad, or whisk into buttermilk for a version of pesto ranch dressing.
4. Spread on a sandwich, flatbread or wrap. Dress up that usually turkey sandwich or make some gourmet grilled cheese. This adds a punch of flavor to your usual go to lunch.
5. Toss with your vegetables. Instead of oil or butter, use some pesto! Top your baked potato, corn, green beans, zoodles and more. Drizzle some on your roasted veggies for some added color and flavor.
6. Add to a soup. Pesto goes very well with bean soup or the traditional tomato! Use as garnish to dress up before serving.
7. Dress up your protein. Whisk with some additional oil, brush onto grilled meats like steak, salmon or chicken. You can also add to meatballs, salmon cakes or burgers!
8. Spice up your pizza. Substitute pesto for your usual tomato sauce, or try using half and half. Pesto has a stronger flavor than your traditional tomato, so much less is needed.
9. Spread on some garlic bread or toast for some added flavor, or add to your homemade bread if you’re making your own! If you’re wanting something lighter, make PESTO BUTTER! Use approximately ¾ cup pesto to 4-6 tablespoons softened butter. Mix together and you’re ready to serve!
10. Add to your favorite summer salads! Making chicken salad? Add pesto! Making your pasta salad? Add pesto! White bean salad? Add pesto!

So don’t be afraid to use pesto as an exit strategy for all those greens this CSA season! You’ll find plenty of uses over the next few months  and be happy that you’re getting those greens in!