How to Make Home-Made Sunflower Seed Pesto

January 25, 2018

Classic pesto is built on pine nuts. They're delicious, but they're also expensive and a problem for anyone with a nut allergy. Sunflower seeds solve both issues. Cheap, widely available, and completely nut-free, they produce a pesto that is every bit as good — earthy, herby, and deeply satisfying.

This is a regular in the Casa Adora kitchen, and it takes about five minutes from start to finish.

Homemade sunflower seed pesto ingredients in a black granite pestle and mortar — *Homemade sunflower seed pesto — a nut-free, budget-friendly alternative to classic pine nut pesto, made in a black granite pestle and mortar at Casa Adora, Andalucía.*

Homemade Sunflower Seed Pesto Recipe

120g sunflower seeds
1 bunch fresh basil, roughly torn
1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
100g Parmesan, chopped
100ml extra virgin olive oil
½ lemon, juiced
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed

Place all the ingredients in a blender and pulse, drizzling in the olive oil as you go, until you have a smooth-ish paste. If you have the muscles for it, a pestle and mortar works beautifully — and gives you more control over the texture.

How to Use It

Toss through pasta straight from the pan — the residual heat loosens it perfectly. Spoon over grilled fish or chicken thighs. Stir through roasted vegetables, particularly courgette, aubergine, or cherry tomatoes. Use as a dressing for a warm potato salad.

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This homemade sunflower seed pesto is part of my Sauces, Salsas & Dressings hub — homemade sauces, dressings and condiments from the Casa Adora kitchen.
Find more recipes and food adventures at The Flexible Chef recipe hubs.
Wonky photos, proper sauces, genuine adventures — The Flexible Chef

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