It was 90 all last weekend, basically signaling to me that it is summer and thank god your bathing suit body is…
…on another woman wearing a bikini with an already perfected tan.
So I give you a farewell recipe to my favorite thing about spring…fresh spring peas. This also happen to be my second favorite thing to do with fresh peas (carbonara being the first and you all already have that shit covered from a previous post).
It is a fresh pea and walnut pesto. And it is versatile as hell. First off, I never realized there was so many kinds of pesto to be made and eaten. I mean, you can use different nuts, cheeses, fresh herbs…you can include things like sun dried tomato, Kalamata olives, artichokes – all kinds of delicious things to make an awesome and interesting pesto. Also I also never realized how easy it is to make pesto. A food processor or a blender and a mildly creative brain – or not, a recipe from someone else will to just fine – and you can create something wonderful like this pesto. And you can toss it with warm pasta and top with extra cheese and (the best part) a fried egg, you can toss with cold pasta and some veggie for a great summer salad, top chicken, fish or roasted vegetables…you getting me? Versatile as hell!
I made a huge batch of this and used it a bunch of ways, but my favorite was a crostini with the pea pesto, ricotta and prosciutto. If you can get your hands on peas still, grab them! If you can’t def hold on to this recipe for next season…and go out and get some sour cherries, cause something delicious with sour cherries is coming up next.
Fresh pea pesto
Ingredients
- Two cups of fresh uncooked peas
- One cup of walnuts
- Three handfuls of fresh basil torn
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
- One cup of grated parmigiano reggiano or whatever kind of parmesan you can find
- Pinch of salt
- A lot of ground black pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions
-
Place all ingredients EXCEPT olive oil in to a food processor or blender. Puree on low streaming olive oil in until you have a desired consistency – there is no exactness to this, it is a matter of preference, I like it thicker to spread on crostini, myself…but you may prefer a thinner consistency so stream in more olive oil.
Recipe Notes
Fresh pea pesto
I just recently made some non-traditional pesto and it was amazing. Until then, I didn’t even know that there were different ways to make pest. This looks delicious and I’ll have to make it next spring!
Oh yum…I love Pesto and I have made it dozens of times – But never with peas!
I have pinned it as i intend on giving this a crack!
My husband loves his peas. Thinking this would be a great surprise to make for him and enjoy.
My son is a picky eater but loves pesto! Definitely pinning this to try! Looks amazing
Pesto sounds so good, right now. And I love how tasty it is.
This sounds so light and fresh! Not to mention, it is so pretty! I make a pea spread too and even non-pea lovers seem to devour it!
Sounds fresh and delicious! I love those sweet early peas. They’re the best.
Peas are great. This recipe provides a new way to use them (at least for me). Looks delish. Thanks for sharing 🙂
This looks so yummy! Definitely going to make this. I have peas in my freezer right now!
I love the idea of adding fresh peas to pesto! That’s genius!
Oh wow! I am definitely pinning this for later! Pesto is one of my favorite toppings and this couldn’t be simpler to make. You can swap out for vegan cheese and you have a delicious pesto topping!
Pesto and peas together?? Count me in!
How lovely. I love what the peas add! So summery/springy too!
how fresh and summery, I would spread it on everything!
This sounds so easy, and I think I have all the ingredients… Must be a sign. 😉
Pesto is SO versatile and fun play with all the options! I have never made one with peas…sounds great!
I don’t even like peas, but this sounds really good. My husband loves peas though so he would love this too I bet.
What a great spring pesto! Love how beautiful it is too!
I love pesto but never thought of making it with peas. What a unique idea!
Pea pesto sounds so delicious! I’m a huge pesto fan and my husband and youngest loves peas, I’m sure this would be a hit. It’s so pretty slathered on those bread slices too! Yum!
I am a pesto ‘nut’. This is definitely one of my favourites in spring. Don’t you just love the light dreamy green colour of this one? I do!! I often substitute or change up the nuts.. Admit walnuts are a great choice here! Thanks for the reminder.. Who doesn’t love those fresh green peas in season?
I love peas and I love pesto. What a great easy recipe for a week night meal.
Love how simple this recipe is. The flavor combo is awesome too. Thanks so much for sharing !
Ha! Bathing suit body has me giggling and that pesto has me drooling. I love spring peas – they are such a nice vibrant pop after a long long winter.