No-Salt Cilantro Pumpkin Seed Pesto

Name: No-Salt Cilantro Pumpkin Seed Pesto
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 13 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas); 2 cups fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems); 2 garlic cloves; 2 tbsp fresh lime juice; 1/2 tsp lime zest; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 jalapeno (optional for heat), seeded, chopped; 2 tbsp water; 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

A vibrant, salt-free Mexican-inspired pesto made by blending fresh cilantro, toasted pumpkin seeds, garlic, lime, and olive oil. Use it as a sauce for fish or chicken, a taco drizzle, or a dip for vegetables.

13 minEasyServes 890 cal/serving

MexicanSauceBlenderDASHVeganPaleoWhole30MediterraneanLow CarbHalal-friendlyGluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreeSesame-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
2 cups fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems)
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp lime zest
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 jalapeno (optional for heat), seeded, chopped
2 tbsp water
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

1

Toast 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly golden and beginning to pop. Remove from heat and let cool for 2 minutes.
2

Add the toasted pumpkin seeds, 2 cups fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems), 2 garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1/2 tsp lime zest, and 1/2 seeded, chopped jalapeno (optional for heat) to a food processor or blender. Pulse several times until roughly chopped.
3

With the machine running, drizzle in 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil. Add 2 tbsp water a little at a time and blend until a saucy but slightly textured consistency is reached.
4

Season with 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust lime juice. Store in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Questions

How long does No-Salt Cilantro Pumpkin Seed Pesto keep?

Refrigerated in a sealed jar, it keeps four to five days. It also freezes flat in a bag for up to three months.

Can I halve or double No-Salt Cilantro Pumpkin Seed Pesto?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, blend in batches rather than overfilling the jar.

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