Green Pea Pesto

Rating: 4.6 stars
30 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 21
  • 4 star values: 7
  • 3 star values: 1
  • 2 star values: 1
  • 1 star values: 0

I came up with this recipe when I found myself with a plethora of frozen peas. A friend of mine was leaving the country for 6 weeks and I ended up with 5 bags of frozen peas from her freezer. This is a heavier, sweeter twist to traditional basil pesto. Goes well with pasta or spread over bread and covered with cheese...yum! Add more lemon juice, basil, or garlic to taste.

By Katy Hopkins
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Ingredients

16
Original recipe yields 16 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil; add the peas and cook until softened. Drain.

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  • Blend the peas, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, basil, and pepper in a blender; while the it blends, stream the olive oil into the mixture.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
27.6 calories; 0.9 g protein; 1.6 g carbohydrates; 0.8 mg cholesterol; 25.1 mg sodium. Full Nutrition

Reviews (24)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

Celestie
Rating: 5 stars
09/14/2009
I thought this was and excellent alternative to the usual basil pesto. I omitted the oil completely to save on calories and added a little red pepper flakes and a couple of fresh sun dried tomatoes to the mix. I used it as a sauce base on a piece of flatbread and then added roasted cherry tomatoes and had a delicious pizza! Thank you for sharing. Read More
Helpful
(20)

Most helpful critical review

Casey M
Rating: 3 stars
06/23/2015
I thought it was OK...never met a pesto I didn't like. I find it more unique to use spinach in lieu of basil (unless I'm making traditional pesto). I like more Parmesan and need some toasted almonds (or pine nuts though again they go in regular basil pesto) that have been blended mixing them in w/ half or more of the peas reserving some intact ones for texture. Read More
30 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 21
  • 4 star values: 7
  • 3 star values: 1
  • 2 star values: 1
  • 1 star values: 0
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
Celestie
Rating: 5 stars
09/14/2009
I thought this was and excellent alternative to the usual basil pesto. I omitted the oil completely to save on calories and added a little red pepper flakes and a couple of fresh sun dried tomatoes to the mix. I used it as a sauce base on a piece of flatbread and then added roasted cherry tomatoes and had a delicious pizza! Thank you for sharing. Read More
Helpful
(20)
TravelerOfTheWays
Rating: 5 stars
05/27/2010
What a wonderful way to make pesto! The peas really add body to the sauce without the need for a lot of oil. I love peas and I love pesto; this is a great combination of the two. The recipe is wonderful as listed (perhaps with some salt) but I also look forward to experimenting with it: more lemon more herbs a little heat. Read More
Helpful
(13)
Carrie Hover
Rating: 5 stars
11/03/2010
This was exceptional! I looked at others' comments & decided to add about a 1/4 cup of walnuts & another Tbs of olive oil. It was delicious & my normally very picky eater ate 3 helpings! Read More
Helpful
(12)
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KarenG
Rating: 5 stars
12/28/2010
I was thrilled to find this recipe - I've always made pesto with spinach to boost the nutritional value for my preschooler but I was low on fresh basil and had no spinach in the house. As luck would have it I happened to have a bag peas that had been hanging out in the back of the freezer for months. I tried the recipe as written and it was excellent. I decided to tweak it to the "gusto" of my family and I added a little more olive oil red pepper flakes and salt. My 3-year old just ate 3 spoonfuls right out of the food processor and he LOVED it! This may become our basic pesto recipe from now on!! Read More
Helpful
(11)
Karlea
Rating: 5 stars
03/08/2011
Everyone in my family loves this. I've made it several times. It's super easy healthy and now a staple in our house. Thank you. Read More
Helpful
(7)
Summer Oleksy
Rating: 5 stars
11/10/2010
My kids loved this! One nevers eats sauce on pasta... he had 2 helpings of this! And it's such a quick fix! AWESOME! Read More
Helpful
(6)
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Diana Moutsopoulos
Rating: 5 stars
10/11/2010
Absolutely fantastic! I served with grilled bread rubbed with garlic. Everyone loved it! Read More
Helpful
(6)
blythem
Rating: 5 stars
08/27/2010
I really liked this. It is very hearty with the peas. I will be making it again! Read More
Helpful
(5)
MooShell
Rating: 5 stars
10/13/2010
This was really yummy! Definately needs salt and I added a couple of splashes of hot sauce to an extra kick. Will make again! Read More
Helpful
(5)
Casey M
Rating: 3 stars
06/23/2015
I thought it was OK...never met a pesto I didn't like. I find it more unique to use spinach in lieu of basil (unless I'm making traditional pesto). I like more Parmesan and need some toasted almonds (or pine nuts though again they go in regular basil pesto) that have been blended mixing them in w/ half or more of the peas reserving some intact ones for texture. Read More
More Reviews
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