| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 250 | 24g | 10g | 8g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 2g | 2g | 6g | 0.5g |
As the aroma of freshly prepared Culantro Pesto wafts through my kitchen, I can’t help but fall in love with this recipe all over again. From my Montana roots where Bison burgers and huckleberry pies reigned supreme, to my fascination with Native American traditions, I’ve always had a penchant for creating flavorful dishes that resonate with my heritage. The Culantro Pesto, with just the right balance of tangy, sweet, and earthy flavors, brings an unexpected yet welcome twist in my usual fare.
When The Past Meets The Present: Redefining Traditional Pesto
The art of cooking fascinates me, especially when it involves marrying together contrasting flavors and traditions. Culantro, commonly used in Caribbean and Latin cooking, lends a robust flavor to the Pesto that makes it stand out from its traditional Italian counterpart made with Basil. Giving the pesto a twist by using almonds instead of pine nuts not only adds a delightful crunch but also a heart-healthy edge to the sauce.
Now let’s not forget the nutritional powerhouse that culantro is known to be. A relative of cilantro, culantro is rich in calcium, iron, carotene, and riboflavin. This delightful herb gives the pesto its distinctive flavor and added health benefits.
Serving Suggestions: It’s Not Just Pasta!
While traditionally served with pasta, Culantro Pesto’s vibrant, complex notes make it a versatile addition to any dining setting. To my delight, I’ve found that this flavorful sauce pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Grilled steak, chicken, or fish smothered in this pesto elevates a regular dinner to a gastronomic treat. It even adds a punch to a simple bruschetta. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try it on pizza or incorporated into your favorite sandwich for a fresh culinary surprise.
You can check out a detailed comparison of culantro vs cilantro here or look for more ways to use culantro in your everyday cooking here. Regardless of how you choose to use it, Culantro Pesto is bound to become a beloved staple on your meal roster.
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of fresh culantro leaves
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1 large garlic clove
- 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
Method
Step One
Start by preparing all your ingredients. This includes washing and drying your fresh culantro leaves, grating your Parmesan cheese, and juice your lemon to get 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
Step Two
Once all your ingredients are prepared, place the fresh culantro leaves, almonds, and garlic clove into a food processor. Pulse the ingredients until they are well combined and have reached a grainy texture.
Step Three
Next, add the grated Parmesan cheese to the food processor. Continue to pulse the ingredients until the Parmesan cheese is well distributed throughout the mix.
Step Four
Slowly pour in the extra virgin olive oil while the food processor is running. Continue to blend the ingredients until they form a smooth pesto mixture.
Step Five
Season the culantro pesto with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper according to your taste preference. Afterwards, add the fresh lemon juice and blend one last time to incorporate all the flavors.
Step Six
Your Culantro Pesto is now ready! You can store it in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. It can be served with pasta, used as a spread on sandwiches, or as a garnish on soups.
