Serves: 6

Is your garden producing more basil than you know what to do with? Did you just end up with a giant bunch of basil from your CSA and are at a loss of what to do with this beautiful bouquet? Fresh basil pesto is the answer! Not only can use enjoy this pesto now, but you can easily freeze it in small containers to enjoy throughout the fall and winter months as well.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • ½ cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 small garlic cloves
    finely minced
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Directions

  1. In a food processor, combine the pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pulse the mixture until it is well chopped. 
  2. Add the fresh basil leaves and pulse until combined. 
  3. Continue pulsing the food processor while drizzling the olive oil until combined. Once combined, add the Parmesan cheese and pulse 4-5 times to combine. Add additional olive oil if you’d like a smoother, less coarse pesto.

Note: The fresh pesto will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. This pesto freezes well in ice cube trays, which can then be thawed out for use in pasta, on sandwiches, or however you enjoy pesto.