Pea & mint pesto

Pea & mint pesto is an easy and delicious way to use the fresh peas of the season. So good on and with anything. Mix into hot pasta, gnocchi, spread on crusty bread for crostini, use as a dip for veggies or turn into a soup. 

I love fresh pea season! Whether you call them fresh, garden or English peas, I always have peas in my freezer because they’re one of my favorite vegetables and they’re so handy to have on hand to throw into a soup or to warm-up as a quick side dish. When pea season is here, I buy as many as I can and use them in so many things.

This pesto can be made in under 10 minutes. The fresh peas are boiled for 3 minutes, allowed to cool, then blended with fresh mint, parmesan salt, pepper and olive oil. Done!

Finding this recipe in a no-pea season? No problem! Just use frozen peas.

I made this slightly different to the way pesto is usually prepared. I used a leek for extra flavor (garlic is used in pesto) I think raw garlic is too overpowering to the taste of the fresh peas and mint. In addition, there is also no nuts in this pesto because I want a nice smooth texture so I can use it for soup. This pesto also freezes well, just add to a freezable container and seal well.

I’ve created a video tutorial so you can see the recipe being made. Just press play!

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Pea & mint pesto

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

3 mins

Total Time

8 mins

 

Course: Sauce

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh peas 10 ounces
• 1/2 cup chopped leek 1/2 medium leek
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions

1. Bring a pan filled half-way with water to a boil and add the peas and leeks. Cook for 3 minutes, drain and set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
2. Once cooled add to a food processor the peas and leek, mint, parmesan, salt & pepper.
3. Pulse 10 times until chopped, then with the processor running, drizzle in the olive oil until well blended.