34 Nonconformist Pestos

Yeah, so you can pretty much make a pesto out of anything.

youtube.com / Via Twitter: @mathewguiver

Pestos are delicious, and surprisingly easy to make.

You only really need 5 basic ingredients:

1. Some type of herb or vegetable

2. Nuts

3. Cheese

4. Oil

5. Flavor enhancers like garlic, salt and pepper, etc.

Pesto is traditionally made with basil, pine nuts, olive oil, parmesan, garlic and lemon.

vegwithanedge.com

But you can basically make a pesto using almost any herb or vegetables, by combining it with nuts and oil.

The possibilities are endless, but here are a few of my favorites...

1. Start simple by swapping out pine nuts for macadamia nuts in a basil pesto.

mypoppet.com.au

Get the instructions here

2. Or go off the deep end with this scallion, bok choy, asiago, pumpkin seed, and pecan pesto.

vegwithanedge.com

You only use the green parts of the scallions in this pesto recipe, so sear the bottoms and serve them on top of your pesto coated pasta.

3. Peanuts and ginger are a great way to give your dish a Thai flare.

florafoodie.com

Serve it with buckwheat noodles.

4. Blueberry avocado pesto anyone?

kissmybroccoliblog.com

Seasoned with a bit of cardamom.

5. Spinach pesto is pretty much amazing.

espressoandcream.com

Recipe here.

6. Romaine and sesame seed pesto is good on it's own...

foodnetwork.com

But becomes great when served with sun dried tomatoes.

7. Kale and walnut pesto, superfood baby!

bonappetit.com

With lemon, olive oil, and parmesan.

8. Use a bit of nutritional yeast for a vegan kale pesto.

tessadomesticdiva.com

Recipe here.

9. Apple pesto is totally a thing.

stemilt.com

Just toss an apple and some apple cider vinegar into your next pesto.

10. Martha makes a mean mint pesto.

marthastewart.com

It's vegan!

11. And Giada makes a yummy pea pesto.

foodnetwork.com

Recipe and video here.

12. Broccoli pesto is healthy and delicious.

cookingchanneltv.com

Made with pecorino romano and walnuts, served with fettuccine and sun dried tomatoes.

13. On a related note, how about this broccoli rate pesto?

foodnetwork.com

Served with orecchiette pasta in this recipe from Anne Burrell.

14. Cherry tomato pesto is the perfect no cook red sauce.

inherchucks.com

Get the recipe here.

15. Asparagus pesto goes great inside grilled cheese sandwiches.

wisconsincheesetalk.com

Combined spinach and asparagus in this pesto recipe.

16. Radicchio pesto.

chefbikeski.com

Made with radicchio, walnuts, garlic, and a splash of heavy cream.

17. Brussels sprout pesto.

heatherchristo.com

Cook your burssels, then combine with parmesan and almonds for a nutty and delicious pesto variation.

18. Cilantro pesto goes great with tofu.

vegetariantimes.com

This recipe calls for both basil and cilantro, but you could easily make it with just cilantro.

19. Sage jalapeño pesto.

marinmamacooks.com

This pesto goes great on burgers!

20. Beet and basil pesto is beautiful and delicious.

thenourishedself.ca

21. Speaking of beautiful, check out this red cabbage pesto.

elsbro.com

Seasoned with cayenne and ginger.

22. Zucchini pesto with kale.

runningtothekitchen.com

You can't actually taste the kale in this recipe, but it adds a bit of color.

23. Garlic scape pesto.

buzzfeed.com / Via BuzzFeed

Turn the soft stems of garlic bought from a farmers market into an amazing pesto.

24. Spring nettle pesto.

inpursuitofmore.com

Serve this pesto on top of roasted yams.

25. Leek and dandelion greens pesto.

teacupchronicles.com

Try making this pesto with hemp or sunflower oil.

26. This corn pesto is anything but corny.

lottieanddoof.com / Via BuzzFeed

Corny jokes aside, this pesto looks incredibly good.

27. Celery leaf and almond pesto.

hippiehealthcoach.com

Recipe here.

28. Collard greens pesto.

zimbio.com

Recipe here.

29. Radish greens also make for a good pesto.

tasteofbeirut.com

Just make sure you clean the greens well, get the recipe here.

30. Make sure to remove the stems when you make rosemary pesto.

tastykitchen.com

Recipe here.

31. Parsley and feta pesto.

deliciousbyaccident.blogspot.com

Recipe here.

32. Cashew tarragon pesto.

dunkandcrumble.com

This recipe calls for both the juice and the zest of a lemon.

33. Artichoke parsley pesto.

Served in zucchini rolls. Recipe here.

34. Arugula pesto is peppery and delicious!

theliveinkitchen.com

Recipe here.

Did I miss one? What's your favorite nonconformist pesto? LMK in the comments!

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