Kale Pesto
A budget-friendly blend of kale and spinach create this vibrant pesto and a delicious serving of leafy greens.
Ingredients
- 12 cups (840 g) kale, chopped
- ¾ cup (180 g) roasted red pepper
- 6 small garlic cloves, roasted
- 1½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- ⅓ cup (52 g) pumpkin seeds, toasted
- 1½ cup (85 g) fresh spinach
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, optional
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
- In a large pot of salted, boiling water, blanch the kale for 4 minutes.
- Shock in a bowl filled with ice and water; strain. Once water has drained away, press out as much water as possible, leaving 1/2 cup of blanched kale.
- Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
- Select Variable 7 and Pulse 15-20 times, using the tamper to press ingredients toward the blades.
Chef's Notes
Serve with vegetables, over pasta, or with bruschetta and flatbread.
Nutrition Information
| Serving Size | 1 serving (26 g) |
| Amount Per Servings | |
| Calories | 90 |
| Total Fat | 8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 115 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
Kale Pesto is rated
out of
5 by
8.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Jean T from
A new take!
I have to admit I was a little skeptical about some of the ingredients on this list. I've been making pesto for a long time, and have always stuck with a very basic recipe. I didn't even have basil to add to this and it still came out very refreshing and perfect for pasta. The fresh lemon goes a long way- don't skimp with the bottled stuff if you can!
The Vitamix handled the low-liquid content like a champ, and with some help from the tamper, I had it blended to a perfect pesto consistency very quickly. You will need a rubber spatula to get all of the pesto-y goodness out of the blender before beginning self-wash, but who wants to miss out on any pesto anyway?
Date published: 2020-06-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Monica_nyc from
Supe fresh and delicious!!!
This sauce is amazing and so good! Recipe is easy and still great with improvisation! I substituted unroasted pine nuts for the pepitas and used all fresh ingredients, including fresh rosemary, roasted and peeled my own red bell pepper and garlic. (I decided to add 5 leaves of basil but the end result proved unnecessary as there was little trace of it.) Steamed rather than boiled the kale for 4 minutes. Tastes like a smooth pesto, very bright and fresh -not strong at all. Super delicious. I will forever make this now!
Date published: 2019-12-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
CJE1 from
Wonderful!!
Looking for delicious ways to add more kale this was super easy and delicious a WIN WIN
Date published: 2021-04-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Paisita from
My son loves Pesto
Yes I really like it especially since my son loves Pesto and now we can prepare it using healthy ingredients - its easy to follow and basically hand holding process
Date published: 2021-04-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
TLewis from
Cheaper than basil
We really enjoyed this pesto! Basil is always pricey at the grocery store so the kale and spinach is a great substitute. Quick and easy to throw together.
Date published: 2021-04-06
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Can't wait to try!
I just potted a basil plant so perfect timing to try this recipe!
Date published: 2021-04-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
IRRA from
Always great to try something new
I had all of the ingredients on hand except pepitas but figured regular toasted pumpkin seeds would work - and they did. Served over pasta, this was a big hit with the family. As always, the Vitamix is a champ. This was so simple and quick to put together. The recipe has been added to the list of family favourites.
Date published: 2021-07-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Kitchen Jo from
delicious pesto!
Fabulous way to use slightly limp kale! Really a delicious take on pesto.
Date published: 2021-04-13
