Description
Easy and Delicious Sicilian Pesto is a vibrant twist on the classic pesto, blending fresh basil, almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives for a rich, nutty, and tangy flavor. This pesto brings a unique Sicilian touch to your dishes and can be used in pastas, sandwiches, or as a delicious dip.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds (or pine nuts, if preferred)
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained
- 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for extra richness)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional for brightness)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil, slivered almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and garlic. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped.
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency—smooth or slightly chunky, depending on preference.
- If using, add the Parmesan cheese and lemon juice to the pesto and pulse again to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can adjust the flavors by adding more lemon juice or salt, depending on your preference.
- Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For longer storage, you can freeze the pesto in small portions.
- Serve the Sicilian pesto with pasta, as a spread for sandwiches, or as a dip for crackers and vegetables.
Notes
- For a vegan version, simply omit the Parmesan cheese, or substitute with nutritional yeast.
- This pesto can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. The flavors improve after a few hours or even the next day!
- If you prefer a smoother pesto, blend it longer and add more olive oil to loosen it up.
- For a richer flavor, toast the almonds or pine nuts lightly before blending.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg