The Homesteading Hippy

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Spinach Pesto

by 17 Comments

pesto post

Spinach is a wonder food.

Even Popeye knew it back in the 40s and 50’s. It is full of calcium, lutine, and lots of vitamin A. Truly a powerhouse in nutrition. It’s easy to grow, and is a cold weather veggie, making it perfect for early Spring and late Summer gardens. It’s prolific, and if you cut it back carefully, you’ll have plenty of spinach throughout the season.

I love fresh spinach, especially from the garden, or from our kitchen window in the winter.

When we plant our spinach, we plant TONS of it, and it always seems to be ready at the same time, even if we stagger the planting. After we get our fill of salads and dehydrated spinach powder over everything, we make spinach pesto. This easy to make pesto is delicious, hearty and with a light flavor. Super fast and perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

Not just for noodles, though!

This spinach pesto is great over baked chicken, mixed in with roasted veggies, or on a grilled cheese sandwich. Try this pesto pizza with spinach pesto for another delicious meal idea!

Spinach Pesto

Spinach Pesto

Ingredients

  • 3 cups loosely packed, fresh spinach leaves
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (or walnuts)
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesean cheese
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Begin by washing the spinach leaves or soaking them in a solution of 10% vinegar to water for 10 minutes. Rinse well.
  2. Add to food processor or blender.
  3. Place the pinenuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning. Add to spinach leaves.
  4. Finely chop garlic and add.
  5. Add the cheese, salt and pepper and begin to process the mixture.
  6. While processor is running, slowly add the olive oil.
  7. Add the lemon juice, and stir.
  8. Serve at once over hot pasta, or store in fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freezer for up to 6 months.
Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Cholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
© The Homesteading Hippy
Cuisine: Italian / Category: Pasta
pesto pin

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Comments

  2. Ellen Morris Prewitt says

    I love spinach, can’t get enough. So this sounds wonderful to me. Now if I can just get my husband (our cook) to make it. Stopping by from SITS Girls

    Reply

  4. Helen says

    I’ve only ever made traditional basil pesto. This sounds so delicious, though, and my family loves spinach. I think we’ll have to add some more spinach to our garden this year!

    Reply

  5. Holly says

    Hello! Stopping by for #SITSblogging today. We have many of the same interests. I am trying my best to homestead and do organic cardening in the suburbs. We have 0.20 acre so I have to be very smart about how I plant. Look forward to reading more!

    Reply

  8. Emily Smith @ The Best of this Life says

    Oh, this is making me hungry right now! I really like pesto , but I’ve never tried a spinach pesto…must do that! #sitsblogging

    Reply

  9. Ida says

    I love fresh spinach! This recipe looks so simple and delicious. I definitely want to try it out! Already pinned!

    Stopping by with comment love from the SITS girls!

    Reply

  11. Gina says

    I had no idea you could do this with spinach. I use an almost exact recipe with our garden basil when it comes in all at once. I’m so curious if this would be bitter compared to sweet basil? It’s so healthy and would be a great spread for crostini.

    Reply

  12. Dina Farmer says

    Stopping by from The SITS GIRLS. This looks really easy to make and I’m sure a quick weeknight kind of deal. I will have to try it.

    Reply

  13. diane padoven says

    I love spinach pesto…make it all the time, along with kale, chard, parsley and cilantro pesto. perfect when basil is out of season!
    easy and delicious sounding…my favorite type of recipe!
    Thank you
    best,
    diane
    Dropping by from SITS girls today.
    #SITSBlogging

    Reply

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