The beat goes on…
Ok, this post isn’t about Sonny & Cher. You can thank you later when you’re humming this song.
I made pesto! Oil-free, vegan, purple pesto.
With beets. Don’t be scared – it really is good. I don’t even like beets and I loved it.
Why buy beets if I don’t even like them? Â Because they are really good for you!
Among their long list of benefits:
- Beets are high in nitrates, which can increase exercise endurance
- are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals such as: Vitamin C, Niacin (B-3), Pantothenic acid (B-5), Pyridoxine (B-6), carotenoids, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and folates
- They are a source of betalains, which provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support
- They contain two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, which are unique good for eye health
- Betanin pigments from beets have been shown to lessen tumor cell growth and may have other anti-cancer benefits
The secret to making beets taste good is to add distinct flavors to them. The citrus from the lemon and the sweet nuttiness from the toasted sunflower seeds did a lot to help. Basil and garlic are, of course, is a great flavors to use in pesto. The balsamic gave the flavor a last little push over the edge.
You could also add some goat cheese or nutritional yeast to the mix to further amp up the flavor. Mine would have included goat cheese… but I planned poorly and used it all in my morning eggs.
For the “pasta” I improvised spiralized zucchini. Using a cheese slicer. Who says I don’t use all my kitchen gadgets?!
Topped with more sunflower seeds, red pepper flakes, and a tasty new French raw milk cheese: Raclette.
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Beet Sunflower Pesto (Oil-Free and Vegan)
- 2 medium beets (I
cheatedused packaged, pre-cooked) - ~15 large basil leaves
- 1/4 C toasted sunflower seeds
- 1 large garlic clove
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- Juice of 1/2 fresh lemon
- S+P, to taste
Toast sunflower seeds on stove top (~4-5 mins). Â Watch them closely and still as needed for an even toast. Â
Place all ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth.
Makes about 1/2 cup.
***
I went back for seconds thirds. It’s also good atop brussels, FYI.
Do you have a favorite non-traditional pesto?
Do you ever eat things just because you know they are beneficial? Were you successful in making it taste good?
I hate beets but that pesto does look very good. I pretty much only eat leafy green vegetables because they’re good for me, no matter how many ways I try them I just can’t seem to like them.
I’m not a huge beet fan either, but perhaps I’d like this. One thing I’m not so into is asparagus. I buy it anyway since it’s good for me and the hubby likes it, but it might be my least favorite veggie.
I’ll have to try this… I usually don’t eat beets because I don’t like the taste but this looks good and I love that beets are so good for you!! Just made an oil free pesto the other day with nutritional yeast and it was delicious!!
I do eat certain foods just for the nutrition benefits even if I don’t love them. I don’t love kale but I blend it into yummy green smoothies and it works perfectly to mask the taste!!
Oh I love this, your salad is so bright and colorful and pesto sounds delicious! 🙂
Definitely adding THAT to the list. [Although to be honest, I’ve done that with every recipe you’ve posted this week. Oops.]
Awwww… really?! I wish we could cook together – that kitchen would be a tasty mess!
I’m not usually a fan of beets either, but I might like it in this! I love that you didn’t have to use extra virgin olive oil.
The beets were so juicy you don’t need the oil to loosen it up!
Personally, I think beets are fantastic! I go to this one restaurant near where I love JUST to get the steamed beets. Weird right?! haha….
This looks great! I will most definitely have to try it. I love the different colors you have going on here. Looks super fresh and delicious!
Have a great weekend!! 🙂
Oh and by the way! I never told you this…I was reading your about you page. I play softball too!
I play in an all women’s league near where I live. I play 3rd base…just thought I would share that with a fellow softball player 😉
That’s awesome! Softball is my “happy” sport. I can never tire of it! 🙂
Just steamed beets? Nothing else?! Love it. 🙂
Hmmm….you’re recipe really help me to branch out of my conventional thinking…this is definitely interesting… I don’t think I’ve seen a beet here yet – darn. 🙂
xoxo from Trinidad
Oooh love the purple color! I never would have thought of that! I will definitely try things if they’re beneficial but I don’t usually continue to eat them if I didn’t like them simply because they’re good for me. Beets however, I’ve NEVER tried. I gotta do that someday soon (this pesto may be the perfect place to start!)
They are VERY “earthy,” but mixing them with citrus flavors is the way to go to balance it (IMHO). They are awesome in farro salad with oranges and goat cheese too. 🙂
I’m kind of obsessed with beets so this is right up my alley!
Love love love and thanks for the sonny and cher song 😛
I love beets! No convincing necessary 🙂 This is beautiful and delicious! Buzzed
I have never seen PURPLE pesto! I love it! Woohoo!!!
I actually like beets! Never knew it until last year because I was always too scared to eat them. Turns out I think they are really good.
This meal looks amazing. You are so creative!
Thank you! 🙂
I LOVE beets! I made a walnut pesto once that was pretty darn good! Yours looks awesome!
Don’t you love how versatile pesto is? I made a walnut spinach version once that was awesome too.
Purple pesto!! LOVING that!! I really need a food processor… :/
You can do it in a blender!!
The rule goes in my house that if you have a song stuck in your head, if you share it with someone else, you are “released” from said annoying song. Thank you, Laura, the only people home are my children. I see your Sonny and Cher and I raise you an “Eye of the Tiger”.
Ohhhh… that was cold. 😉
I see your “Eye” and raise you an “Mmmmmm…. Bop.” Bwhahahaha!
Good one! It’s on. When you least expect it…..Barbie Girl! Muhaha! Have a great weekend, girl!
LOL! I actually almost said that one.
867-5309 🙂
I love beets! Pickled beets, roasted beets, boiled beets, sauteed beets, etc. I will definitely be bookmarking this beet recipe because I also love Pesto!
Teehee, love how you say you don’t like beets but like this, because my reactions is I don’t like pesto but I think I’d love this! 😀
This really is ingenius. I love your line about not even liking beets. I have to confess….
Thank you! You don’t like them either?! I think, like scotch, they are an acquired taste (I still like scotch better).
Wow that looks absolutely gorgeous. Good to know how good beets are for you because I love them. Definitely seems like a good habit at least. haha.
Oil free??? How interesting! I think the key to beets is to roast them–it gets rid of some of the earthiness that folks don’t like and it brings out the sweetness. Such a great idea to make a pesto… and with sunflower seeds–YUM!
What a great way to get a dose of beets into a meal! Beetroots are so unbelievably good for you. I realise I should be eating way more! Love the photograph and the lovely colour combination of the green zucchini and the deep purple beets 🙂
I’ve turned zucchini into past before, but never beets in pesto. I love it!
cheers!