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Pesto with green peas and mint, a fresh green sauce
Chunky spread made from sweet peas, fresh mint, and parmesan

Fresh Pea and Mint Pesto

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Sauces and Gravies
If you're bored of the basil classic, or just crave something fresher: here is spring in a jar. The natural sweetness and creamy texture of green peas, paired with the cooling power of mint, opens a completely new dimension in the world of pestos. Excellent spread on bruschetta, tossed with pasta, or even as an accompaniment to roast lamb.
🕒 Prep Time 15 mins
🍳 Cook Time 5 mins
⌛ Total Time 20 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 320 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Italian

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Food processor or blender
  • Saucepan (for boiling peas)
  • Sieve
  • Iced water (for blanching)

Allergen Information

⚠️ Milk
⚠️ Nuts (Pine nuts)

Instructions

1 ✓

Boil water in a saucepan, add salt. Throw in the peas and cook for 2-3 minutes until just tender.

Tip: Do not overcook until mushy; keep a fresh taste.
2 ✓

Drain the peas and immediately plunge into iced water for 1 minute. Drain again.

Tip: This 'shocking' fixes the green colour and vitamins.
3 ✓

Toast the pine nuts in a dry frying pan for a few minutes until fragrant and slightly brown. Let them cool.

Tip: Toasting brings out the oily aromas of the seeds. Careful, they burn in moments!
4 ✓

Put the garlic, mint, pine nuts, and Parmesan into the food processor. Chop coarsely.

Tip: Pulsing is better than continuous chopping to avoid overheating the paste.
5 ✓

Add the cooled peas, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Start the machine and drizzle in the olive oil in a thin stream until you get a creamy emulsion.

Tip: Slow addition of oil helps the emulsion (mixing of oil and water) form, making it creamy, not oily.
6 ✓

Taste and adjust salt or lemon if needed.

Recipe FAQ

Why put the peas in iced water?
Shocking (blanching) stops the cooking and fixes the chlorophyll, so the pesto remains a vivid, vibrant green and doesn't turn grey.
How long does it keep?
In the fridge, with oil poured on top (to seal from air), for 3-4 days.

Ingredients

  • 200 g fresh or frozen green peas
  • 1 bunch fresh mint (leaves only)
  • 50 g grated Parmesan cheese (or Grana Padano)
  • 30 g pine nuts (or toasted almonds)
  • 80 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp lemon juice