Vibrant Spring Salad with Zesty Carrot Top Pesto
Brighten your plate with this spring salad featuring zesty carrot top pesto, basil, and toasted pine nuts for a flavorful and vibrant meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups carrot top greens (can sub 2 cups fresh arugula or baby kale)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- salt (to taste)
- 1 loaf ciabatta or sourdough french bread (torn into bite size)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
Instructions
- Make the Carrot Top Pesto: In a food processor, combine carrot top greens, fresh basil, and toasted pine nuts. Pulse until finely chopped.
- With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth. Add grated parmesan, red pepper flakes, and salt to taste.
- Prepare the Croutons: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- On a baking sheet, toss torn ciabatta or sourdough bread with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway, until the bread is golden brown and toasted.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss together thinly sliced carrots, snap peas, watercress (or spinach/arugula), and fresh herbs for 1 minute.
- Add a few tablespoons of the prepared carrot top pesto to the salad and toss to coat the vegetables. Stir in the toasted bread croutons.
- Serve immediately with the remaining carrot top pesto on the side for an extra flavor boost.
Notes
- Use young, tender carrot tops for the best pesto flavor.
- Toast your bread until golden and crisp for the best crouton texture.
- Adjust the amount of pesto to your liking; start with a little and add more. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.
- Toast your bread until golden and crisp for the best crouton texture.
- Adjust the amount of pesto to your liking; start with a little and add more. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.