Swiss Chard Stalk Pesto With Pepitas Recipe

Name: Swiss Chard Stalk Pesto With Pepitas
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 6 ounces Swiss chard stalks (from about 1 pound of Swiss chard); 1 cup pepitas; 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed; 3 to 4 medium garlic cloves; 3/4 cup packed parsley leaves; 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste; zest of 1/2 lemon, grated on a Microplane; 3-4 ounces Pecorino Romano (optional); salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Servings: persons

6 ounces Swiss chard stalks (from about 1 pound of Swiss chard)
1 cup pepitas
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed
3 to 4 medium garlic cloves
3/4 cup packed parsley leaves
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste
zest of 1/2 lemon, grated on a Microplane
3-4 ounces Pecorino Romano (optional)
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1
Cut off the very end of the stalks, as the ends tend to be dry. If your Swiss chard is fairly young and tender, the stalks will be tender too. The stalks of mature chard can be a bit stringy, and you may want to blanch them for a minute. The best way to determine is to snap a piece of stalk from the very end (the toughest part) and take a bite. If it has the consistency of raw celery, you are good to go. If it is tougher and stringier, you may want to blanch the stalks (but only for a minute).
2
To blanch the stalks, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the stalks and blanch for 1 minute. Remove the stalks from the pot and put them in a bowl of iced water to stop the cooking process. Cool the stalks completely before proceeding with the recipe.
3
In a food processor, process the pepitas with the fennel seed and garlic. Add the stalks and parsley and continue to process. Add the cheese, if using. Add the olive oil, cumin, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and process until smooth. (If the pesto is too thick, add a drop of water.) Taste, and adjust the acidity and seasoning. Store the pesto in the fridge and use it with pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip.

488

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

No additional tips available.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

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This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 11 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 6 ounces Swiss chard stalks (from about 1 pound of Swiss chard), 1 cup pepitas, 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed, 3 to 4 medium garlic cloves, and more.

Yes, Swiss Chard Stalk Pesto With Pepitas falls under the Vegetarian category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Swiss Chard Stalk Pesto With Pepitas

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