Raw Avocado Kale Pesto with Zucchini Pasta
I don’t remember when I had my first bite of pesto. I do remember that it was love at first taste. The explosion of garlic, the freshness of the basil, the decadence of the cheese, I was hooked. My second epiphany came when I was introduced to avocado pesto through one of Chloe Coscarelli’s recipes. I mean seriously. Beyond delicious.
Pesto can be made from many different ingredients. You can use the traditional pine nuts, or walnuts. I have seen it made with kale or parsley. It is one of those recipes that can adapt to a ton of changes. Making it raw / vegan is simple. Just omit the cheese. Honestly, with all of these other tasty ingredients, you will never miss it.
My version uses avocados and kale! I can never get enough kale and why not incorporate it into an avocado pesto? This raw recipe is simple to throw together. Toss the pesto with some zucchini noodles and tomatoes and you have a very satisfying meal.
Avocados contain a an amazing array of carotenoids. They are also anti-inflammatory. They help digestion, are high in vitamin K, fiber, folate and vitamin C. Avocados are also high in fat but it is considered to be the good fat that helps you absorb nutrients, protects you from inflammation, and helps lower your risk of heart disease. Did you know that pine nuts are high in iron and magnesium? And kale, well, we all know what a nutritional powerhouse kale is. At only 36 calories a cup, the kale in this recipe helps lighten it up while providing you with fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, iron and more.
I love this mixed with spiralized zucchini pasta (I use this spiralizer: Spiral Slicer
Equipment needed:
- Food Processor
- Spiralizer (optional)
Raw Avocado Kale Pesto with Zucchini Noodles
SERVES 4
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 2 avocados
- 1/4 cup cold pressed olive oil
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (optional)
- 1/2 cup pine nuts plus some for garnish
- 1 small bunch kale, de-stemmed and torn into small pieces (about 1 BIG handful)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- pinch Himalayan salt and fresh cracked pepper
- Spiralize the zucchini. Set aside in a colander to drain excess liquid)
- Start food processor running. Drop cloves of garlic in, one at a time.
- Add avocado, olive oil, nutritional yeast, pine nuts and lemon juice. Pulse until blended.
- Add kale and pulse until kale is well chopped and incorporated.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper, then toss with the zucchini noodles and tomatoes.
Julia wrote on April 19, 2013
This looks great! I’m new to raw food and have been wanting to try zucchini noodles. Can you please tell me how to spiralize zuccini? Did you use a food processor for this?
Susan wrote on April 23, 2013
You would use a spiralizer to make the noodles.
Monica wrote on April 17, 2013
I love your recipes I was wondering if I am able to use a Vitamix for any of your ingredients you blog about? Since I have it I don’t want to spend money on a food Processor at the moment. Help!
Susan wrote on April 23, 2013
You can use a food processor but honestly, you would have to be very careful and watch so that you don’t over-process.
Lisa W. wrote on April 16, 2013
My daughter and I are new to eating raw. We just made this fabulous recipe! Loved it! Thanks so much.
Susan wrote on April 16, 2013
I am so glad you liked it! I had it for dinner last night! 🙂
Patricia wrote on April 11, 2013
This was my first foray into both raw zucchini noodles and kale, and an excellent introduction it was–to both ingredients. =3 Everyone in my family thought this was delicious.
I’m enjoying paging through all the recipes you’ve posted–many of them I’ve bookmarked to make in the near future.
Lyssy Cooks wrote on April 8, 2013
Yum! It is really good!
Lyssy Cooks wrote on April 8, 2013
Thank you for posting! Yum!
Lyssy Cooks wrote on April 8, 2013
Great recipe! Thank you so much for sharing!
Susi wrote on April 7, 2013
I used kelp noodles! Yum!
Caroline wrote on April 6, 2013
I substituted the kale with basil….. And it was amazing!!!