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Did you know – you can eat carrot tops! So don’t throw them out! Use them to make an easy Carrot Top Pesto Recipe.
This is a super easy to make and tastes great. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll be enjoying fresh homemade pesto in no time. Ready to get started?
Carrot Top Pest Recipe
Ingredients:
- Carrot Tops
- Pecans
- Garlic Cloves
- Basil
- Parmesan Cheese
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Before we begin, if you prefer another type of nuts feel free to substitute it. Many Carrot Top Pesto Recipes call for Pistachios. These work really well, taste great, but cost more than I prefer to pay. We love pecans and almonds, so I use what I have on hand.
Instructions:
Rinse and drain carrot tops – set aside.
Measure nuts and garlic, toss into a food processor. Pulse until nuts form a paste. The paste come from the natural oils that are in the nuts.
Add to food processor – carrot tops, basil and Parmesan Cheese. At this point, it may be necessary to use a rubber spatula to remove the paste from the sides. Just scrape from the sides and push back down to the bottom of processor.
Pulse several times until basil and carrot tops are in very tiny pieces. And if necessary, continue to scrape the sides to remove paste and push back to the bottom.
Add olive oil and pulse. If pesto is too thick, add a tablespoon of water (this will help to thin the pesto).
Still too thick? Add another tablespoon of water. I don’t like to put more than 2 tablespoons of water in my carrot top pesto recipe.
If it continues to be a bit too thick for your liking, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Continue to do this until you have your desired thickness. Salt and pepper to taste.
This makes about 2 cups of pesto.
Being a carrot grower, I’m often ask questions about carrot tops. Here are some of them.
Carrot Top Information
Can I freeze carrot tops?
Happily, yes carrot tops can be frozen.
- Simply remove the leaves from the stems. Wash and spin to remove water.
- After dry, place in a single layer on a cookie sheet and put into the freezer.
- Leave a couple hours and remove. Quickly place in a Ziploc bag, remove air and place in the freezer.
Can I use carrot tops for anything beside pesto?
Carrot tops have many uses other than pesto. They can be used in smoothies, juices, salads, teas, and even dry rubs.
Are Carrot Greens Nutritious?
Yes, carrot green are actually high in nutrition. Organic Facts wrote the article – 6 Surprising Benefits of Carrot Greens
I learned a lot more about carrot tops from this article and I’m sure you will as well!
Can Carrot Tops Be Juiced?
The answer is yes. But I want throw out a word of caution. Carrots tops are pretty bitter as a stand alone green. So it is not recommended you put a whole lot of carrot greens in a drink.
Though they are high in nutrition, some people do have allergic reactions to them, so just be careful. I would recommend you do your research before juicing.
So there you have it. Carrot tops do have many health benefit and they make a great pesto.
By the way, while we are talking about my Carrot Top Pesto Recipe, try it out over my Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe too. My kids love it and I’m sure your family will too.
Easy Carrot Top Pesto Recipe
Smooth tasting pesto. Easy to make and enjoy.
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Fresh Carrot Tops, washed
- 1/3 cup Nuts ( I use Pecans)
- 2 Garlic Cloves, peel removed
- 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Cup Fresh Basil Leaves
- 2/3 Cup Olive Oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Rinse and drain carrot tops - set aside
- Toss nuts and garlic into a food processor. Pulse until form a paste. (The paste come from the natural oils that are in the nuts)
- Add Carrot Tops, Basil and Parmesan Cheese - pulse. At this point, it may be necessary to use a rubber spatula to remove the paste from the sides. Just clean it from the sides and push back down to the bottom of processor.
- Pulse several times until carrot tops and basil are in tiny pieces. And if necessary, continue to scrape the sides to remove paste and push back to the bottom.
- Add Olive Oil and pulse. If pesto is too thick, add a tablespoon of water (this will help to thin it).
- Still too thick? Add another tablespoon of water. I don't like to put more than 2 tablespoons of water in my carrot top pesto. If it continues to be a bit too thick for your liking, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Continue to do this until you have your desired thickness.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
TIPS FOR SUCCESS:
Feel free to double or even triple this recipe. If you have leftover carrot top pesto, place in a container, cover with a layer of olive oil. Refrigerate for up to 7 days.
This carrot top pesto recipe can also be frozen for an even longer storage time.
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Dianne Hadorn is the owner of Hidden Springs Homestead nestled in the hills of East Tennessee. She is a Master Gardener and enjoys helping others learn how to grow and preserve their own food and sharing tips for living a more sustainable life.
Gosh! I never knew I could make anything out of carrot greens! And I love pistachios too! This is one recipe I will be making! Thanks for the great info!
My first try and boy~I’m hooked! This stuff is great! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
I already use greens from beets, radishes and now I can include carrots too! I dehydrate mine, powder and mix together for what I call my green powder. I had wondered about carrot tops but ow they are included too! Thanks for sharing!
Well I will be saving the carrot tops and trying this out. Love finding new uses for food
Awesome! So glad I found this. Every time we get carrots from our CSA, the tops always go in my compost bin because I don’t know what else to do with them. Can’t wait to try this.
That makes me so happy Heather! I’m glad it was helpful. You’ll love it. Let me know how it goes!