Homemade Pumpkin Pesto Recipes

PUMPKIN SEED PESTO

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine pumpkin seeds, Parmesan, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse on and off, for about 20 seconds, until seeds are almost ground.
• Add basil, parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil, and pulse on and off for about 40 seconds (you may want to ​scrape down the sides with a spatula in between pulses), until all ingredients are combined. The mixture should be more like a course paste than a liquefied sauce, so be careful not to overprocess.
• Transfer to a bowl or glass storage jar, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt. Be sure to taste, as the pumpkin seeds may have been well salted when they were roasted. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to two days.

PUMPKIN PESTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Scoop pumpkin into a medium sized pot, add orange juice and butter, and simmer over medium heat.
• Stir in the pesto sauce (you can add less, if it is especially strong), the chardonnay, basil, and garlic.
• Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often.
• Stir in the red pepper flakes and chicken broth (you can also add more orange juice and chicken broth, a tablespoon at a time, if the sauce is too thick).
• Season with salt and pepper, turn the heat to low, and cook about 3 minutes.
• Turn the heat off, and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Stir in ground pepper to taste.
• Let sit for 5 minutes for the flavors to blend, and then serve.
• This is delicious with Walnut-Gorgonzolla tortellini and steamed edamame, topped with crushed Melba toast.
• This is my first posted recipe--be gentle with me!

PUMPKIN SEED PESTO

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook pumpkin seeds with salt and pepper to taste, stirring constantly, until seeds are puffed and beginning to pop (some will brown, but do not let all of them), about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Transfer to a plate and cool completely.
• Pulse seed mixture in a food processor with water, cilantro, scallions, and remaining 4 tablespoons oil until mixture forms a coarse paste (not finely ground). Transfer to a bowl and stir in lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.