Have you ever tried to turn kale into a pesto? It is a delicous way to enjoy kale, and I didn’t always like it. The secret? Hemp seeds. They are not only healthy, but delicious in this kale hemp seed pesto.
Why hemp seeds? Yes, they are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids which come along with many health benefits, but the true reason I use them is for their creamy flavor profile.
I use hulled hemp seeds in this recipe and they make perfect replacement for pine nuts, adding nuttiness and creaminess that helps to balance the earthines of the kale.
Hemp seeds are also more affordable than pine nuts, at least a little, so you can load them into the food processor without that guilty pocketbook feeling.
Ways to Use this Kale Hemp Seed Pesto recipe:
- Toss it with pasta. Kale pesto pasta is a favorite of mine. Simply toss the pesto with reserved pasta cooking liquid to thin it to taste. This recipe will cover 12 ounces of pasta, give or take.
- Serve your pasta only with kale hemp seed pesto, or add toppings like avocado, diced tomato, a dash of hot sauce, etc.
- Serve it with crudites. The kale pesto makes a great flavorful dip for all kinds of vegetables.
- Place it on a charcuterie board with crackers and cheeses.
- Toast or Crostini: Smear it on toasted bread, bagels, or baguette. You can top it with sliced tomatoes if desired, or broil with cheese on top.
- Pizza: Use is as a sauce on pizza.
Kale Hemp Seed Pesto
Prep time
Total time
Author: Alison's Allspice
Recipe type: Condiment
Serves: 1 cup pesto
Ingredients
- 3 garlic cloves
- 3 cups packed kale, about 3 oz
- ¾ cup hulled hemp seeds
- 3 TBS lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ black pepper
- Pinch red pepper flake
- 3 TBS olive oil
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan or Nutritional Yeast
Instructions
- Add garlic and kale to the food processor. Process briefly to start breaking up the kale leaves and garlic cloves.
- Add hemp seeds, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flake. With the food processor on, pour in the olive oil. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary.
- Pulse in Parmesan or nutritional yeast. Taste test and add more salt or lemon if necessary.
- Serve thick with crackers and crudités or thin with pasta cooking liquid and toss with pasta.
