Pesto. Too delicious for words, right? And although serving it on pasta is still my favorite way to eat it, I enjoy it on potatoes, pizza, sandwiches, and as a dip.
When you think pesto, do you think basil? Yes, basil is traditional, but pesto can be made with just about any herb, with garlic scapes, and with foraged greens like nettle.
Or with dandelion leaves. Delicious dandelion pesto.
Dandelion Pesto
I served some of my dandelion leaf pesto at a class I taught recently, and my students were amazed at how wonderful it was. It was gone in minutes.
And you know what I just love? I can walk out my backdoor and harvest all the leaves I need for dandelion pesto in a matter of minutes. And I didn’t even have to plant them, or tend them!
Tip: Be sure to use young leaves before the flower forms to avoid bitterness. Young dandelion leaves are also low in oxalic acid.
Book Recommendations:
The Wild Wisdom of Weeds by Katrina Blair
Have you tried dandelion pesto? What other unusual pesto do you make?
Other Dandelion Posts You Will Love
Homemade Dandelion and Violet Pink Lemonade
Dandelion Flower Fritters Recipe
Homemade Garlic Scape Pesto or Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh young dandelion leaves (or 1 cup dandelion leaves and 1 cup fresh basil leaves)
- 3/4 cups grated parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cups olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 5 cloves garlic
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients until smooth in a food processor. Serve over cooked pasta, or as a dip.
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
easypeasy says
what a cool idea! We’ll have to try this! 🙂
Kristen @ Smithspirations says
I haven’t made dandelion pesto, but I do love garlic mustard pesto!
Barb says
I’m going to give this a go since dandelions grow all winter here and will be super tender.
Robin C Gibbs says
My son just bought a new house & the dandelions & I guess they are called “wild onions” are growing in our yard, even though the builder pur sod down, they still grow but if there have been chemicals put in the yard, then you can’t use them in cooking or am I missing something. Can you answer that question for me? I would love to try them since I have some health problems, namely a new one: CML (Chronic Mylogenious Leukemia). Thanks so much,
Robin
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Robin, I would talk to the builder to see if he used any chemicals on the property and would wait a few years to harvest if he did. Hope your health improves!
Robin says
thank you Susan, sorry i am just getting this..i have been slowing going to my different sites & catching up on my emails…i will definitely be checking with him since we have other new homes going up & there are enough of those “wild onions” & “dandelions” growing (i especially would like to try the dandelion flowers as i have seen recipes for battering & frying & i understand they are very healty..i have eaten dandelion greens before & they are so delicious) in everyones’ yards here. Again, ty so much & I will let you know if I do get the chance to try both of these “weeds”…lol…as everyone refers to them.
JUL says
It’s been at least 3 years since any chemicals were used on my dandelions, am I safe to use these wonderful flowers and greens. Thank you
Susan Vinskofski says
Yes, absolutely!!!