Nut-Free Hemp Heart Pesto

Making a nut-free pesto comes with several appealing benefits! Here are a few key ones:

Dietary inclusivity:

• Allergy-friendly: This is the most common reason for seeking a nut-free pesto. By making your own, you can ensure it’s safe for those with nut allergies or intolerances, making it an inclusive option for potlucks or gatherings.
• Vegan and dairy-free friendly: Depending on the recipe, you can easily make a nut-free pesto that’s also vegan and dairy-free, like this one! This expands your options for those with specific dietary restrictions.

Nutritional advantages:

• Exploration of new flavors: Replacing nuts allows you to experiment with different seeds, vegetables, or legumes, creating unique flavor profiles and exploring new culinary territory.
• Potential for lower fat content: While classic pesto relies on pine nuts for richness, nut-free alternatives can use lower-fat ingredients like hemp seeds or white beans, leading to a lighter and potentially healthier option.
• Boost of different nutrients: Different seeds and legumes bring distinct nutritional profiles. Pumpkin seeds offer omega-3s, hemp seeds provide protein and healthy fats, while white beans add protein and fiber.

Additional benefits:

• Cost-effective: Nuts can be expensive, while readily available seeds or legumes might be a more budget-friendly option.
• Customization: Making your own pesto allows you to adjust the ingredients to your preferences, controlling the level of spice, creaminess, and overall flavor.

Remember, even with these benefits, nut-free pesto might not perfectly replicate the classic flavor and texture. However, it offers a delicious and inclusive alternative with its own unique advantages!

From my garden

There’s a handful of items that can come directly from your garden, depending on where you’re located. But when it comes from your garden, it doesn’t come from your wallet. I grow the basil myself, it grows like a small bush all throughout my garden and I pick the leaves whenever I need them. I always have an abundance of lemon basil and purple Thai basil.

You can also grow the lemons and the garlic instead of buying store-bought. Consider purchasing a dwarf lemon tree that you can grow in a pot indoors or outdoors.

To start growing garlic, visit your local nursery or local farmers market. Choose firm, healthy cloves from organic garlic (not supermarket bulbs, as they might be treated with sprout inhibitors). Separate the cloves carefully, keeping the papery skin intact. Pick a sunny spot with well-draining soil in your garden. Raised beds are also a good option. Once you have a spot, add soil. Loosen the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches and mix in compost or aged manure. Plant the cloves, pointy end facing up, 1-2 inches deep in warm climates and 3-4 inches deep in colder regions. Space them 4-6 inches apart within rows and 6-8 inches between rows. Give your newly-sowed garlic a good watering after planting. Cover the planting area with a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch like straw, leaves, or compost. Make sure to water regularly. In about 5-8 months you should be able to harvest and abundance of garlic that you can use and store for months.

How to make nut-free hemp heart pesto

1. Prep the Ingredients:
   • Pick your basil from the garden and cut the leaves off the stems.
   • Peel the garlic.
   • Cut, peel and remove the core from the avocado.
   • Juice the lemon.
2. In a Food Processor: 
   • Add all the ingredients and pulse on high.
   • Pulse until texture is creamy.
   • Add salt as needed.
3. Enjoy and Devour!
   • Add to any sandwich, salad, toast, pasta or any other dish of your choice and enjoy!