Beets With Walnut Pesto Recipes

ROASTED CARROTS AND BEETS WITH PECAN PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the carrots with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Tear off 3 pieces of foil; put 2 beets on each sheet. Drizzle the beets with 1 tablespoon olive oil and wrap in the foil. Transfer the carrots and beets to the oven; bake the carrots until browned and tender, 30 to 35 minutes, and bake the beets until easily pierced with a knife, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, toast the pecans in a small dry skillet over low heat, stirring, about 5 minutes; let cool. Transfer to a food processor; add the parsley, mint, garlic, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Pulse a few times to make a paste. With the machine running, gradually add the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and puree until smooth. Add the parmesan and pulse to combine.
• Let the beets cool slightly, then peel and cut into wedges. Transfer to a large bowl or serving dish and add the carrots and pesto; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

BEET-GREEN PESTO

Steps:

• Pistachios: Toast pistachios in a skillet over low heat until they're light brown in spots, with a toasty aroma, 2-3 minutes.
• Greens: Pull leaves from stems and wash thoroughly (they can be sandy). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and blanch the greens for 20 seconds (to preserve their color). Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a bowl of ice water (to stop the cooking).
• Pesto: Purée the pistachios, garlic, and oil in a food processor until nuts are combined with the oil but still chunky (you don't want to make nut butter). Remove greens from the ice water and squeeze out excess water. Roughly chop them and add to the food processor with a pinch of salt. Pulse to combine, leaving the pesto slightly chunky. Taste for seasoning. Push down the sides of the bowl and pulse 5 more seconds.
• Assembly: Toss half of the pesto with the cooked penne, adding more as needed. Serve immediately.