When I first made nasturtium pesto I thought I’d had a flash of sheer genius and my name would go down in the culinary annals of history. I was wrong of course, a quick Google brings up any number of variations, but I still think mine is the best! Nasturtium leaves and flowers have a lovely warm peppery flavour and make a fabulous addition to Spring, Summer and Autumn salads as well as giving depth to this pesto sauce. 

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Nasturtium leaf pesto and nasturtium flowers.

I grew these beauties from seed last Spring and, thanks to the mild winter, they are still going strong! I love the way nasturtiums climb up and around and along, turning their colourful faces to the light long after most of the summer flowers have gone. 

A nasturtium flower surrounded by its leaves.

Nasturtium flowers are so pretty just scattered over a salad or sitting atop a luscious lemon cake but, today, it is the leaves which take centre stage.  My pesto is simple to make, full of peppery goodness and vegan too! If you want the full nasturtium effect use large leaves as plates topped with a flowery late summer salad, drizzled with leaf pesto! 

Nasturtium pesto in a mason jar.

If you want to grow your own nasturtiums for pretty salads next year they really are very easy! Once you’ve grown them and enjoyed them, let them go to seed and you can make ‘Poor Man’s Capers’ with them! Also, if you let them drop their seeds, you’ll have a fresh supply of leaves and flowers next year! 

Serving Suggestions

Nasturtium pesto is so versatile, it’s peppery flavour adds oomph to lots of dishes:

  • Stir it into pasta or couscous
  • Mix it with a little balsamic vinegar to make a delicious drizzle to pour over risotto
  • Serve with veggie burgers or mashed potato cakes
  • Add it to a late summer Garden Salad 
  • Spoon it onto Roast Aubergine Soup

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A jar of bright green nasturtium pesto

Nasturtium Pesto

A flavourful, peppery pesto using nasturtium leaves from the garden
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dips, Spreads and Condiments
Keyword: nasturtium recipes, pesto recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 7
Calories: 178kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup tightly packed nasturtium leaves
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1 large garlic clove - peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup nutritional yeast (optional)
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Wash and dry the nasturtium leaves
  • Toast the pine nuts in a small saucepan over a low heat until just browned
  • Add all the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and whizz until smooth
  • Spoon into a clean jar
  • Keeps in the fridge for about 10 days

Notes

Nutritional information is only an approximate guideline. Calculations will vary according to the ingredients you use and your cooking methods.

Nutrition

Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 68IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
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