Pepita Pesto Recipes

Steps:

• Put the pepitas in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the cilantro, garlic, orange zest and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pulse until finely chopped. Add the Gouda and pulse to combine. With the motor running, slowly pour in the grapeseed oil and process until combined. Transfer to a bowl.

Steps:

• Toss the florets from 1 head Romanesco with olive oil, salt, ground cumin and pepper. Roast on a preheated baking sheet at 450 degrees F until browned, about 25 minutes. Pulse 2 cups cilantro, 3 tablespoons unsalted roasted pepitas, the zest and juice of 1/2 lime, 1 small garlic clove and 1 tablespoon water in a food processor. Pulse in 1/4 cup olive oil; season with salt. Spoon on top of the Romanesco; top with more pepitas.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs, adding the cactus during the last 1 minute of cooking. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain. Return the pasta and cactus to the pot.
• Meanwhile, spread the pepitas on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden, about 8 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then transfer to a blender. Add the cilantro, garlic, olive oil and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water and puree until smooth.
• Add the pepita pesto, tomato, chile and all but 2 tablespoons of the cheese to the pot with the pasta and cactus; toss to combine, slowly adding the remaining 1/2 cup cooking water as needed to loosen. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with the remaining 2 tablespoons cheese.

Steps:

• Toast seeds in a heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden in spots and puffed, about 4 minutes.
• Mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt, then transfer to a food processor. Add parsley and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and pulse until chopped. Add cheese and seeds and process until seeds are finely chopped. With motor running, add oil in a slow stream through feed tube.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse pepitas and garlic until finely chopped. Halve avocado, discard the pit and scoop out flesh. (You should have about 3/4 cup, or 5 ounces.) Add avocado flesh, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to food processor and pulse until chunky.
• Add cheese and basil to food processor. With motor running, drizzle in 1/2 cup water, then drizzle in oil until well blended, scraping down sides as needed. Transfer 2 cups of pesto to a large bowl. Refrigerate any remaining pesto for another use.
• Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta. Add pasta and pasta water to pesto in large bowl and toss until pasta is nicely coated in sauce.
• Divide pasta among 4 bowls. Top with more pepitas, cheese and basil.