Sunflower Kale Pesto

From the kitchen of Raki Kopernik

This is a recipe I created based on the idea of tradition basil pesto. I wanted to make a healthier pesto and find a way to feed those leafy greens to my family and friends when they get sick of salads and steaming. This is also a great way to preserve large amounts of greens. I often make a few batches at the end of the garden season.
 
I’m not much of a recipe follower, but I love cookbooks and recipes for the seed (pun intended) of inspiration. I encourage you to use whatever greens and seeds or nuts you have on hand and whatever flavors you’re craving. I like to spread this on toast, sandwiches (particularly tempeh Ruebens – I’ll give you that recipe next time), add to salads, as a veggie or cracker dip, mixed in with grains, pastas, on eggs, really it can go on anything savory.
 
         Ingredients

• 1 bunch of kale, any variety - You can also use any or a combination of collard greens, broccoli leaves, chard, beet greens, carrot tops etc. Literally any hardy greens.
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds - Sunflower seeds are particularly delicious to me, but you can use pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, hazelnuts, or a combination etc. If using something less oily like almonds, soak them first for a few hours.
•  1-2 tsp turmeric powder - This is less for the flavor and more for the health benefits. I add turmeric to everything. It’s high in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients.
•  2-4 cloves of garlic
•  Juice of 1 lemon or lime
•  1/4 cup olive oil and/or coconut oil
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• Any other spices you like to use. I am very fond of smoked paprika

​          Instructions

1. Loosely chop up greens and place in a food processor. Pulse or run for a few seconds.
2. Add seed/nuts and again pulse or run for a few seconds until things start to look combined and mealy.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and run for about 10 seconds. Using a rubber spatula, scrape the sides of the container and run again for 5-10 second.
4. Add more oil if it feels too thick. I like the consistency to be pasty so I can spread it, like peanut butter. It can be as chunky or as creamy and you prefer.
5. Store pesto in a mason jar in the fridge and label it with the date. It will likely last for about 3 weeks.
6. YUM!

​Click here for a printable version