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Roasted Asparagus & Hazelnut Pesto

May 6, 2012 by Susan S. Bradley

I head to the Portland Farmers Market almost every Saturday morning that I am in Portland. And I never miss a little sampling round at Pesto Outside the Box, which produces the most unusual and delectable pestos I’ve ever eaten.

This past Saturday was exceptionally inspiring though, because there in the midst of the six or so delicious pestos was a new gem: Roasted Asparagus & Hazelnut Pesto. Now, I have made dozens of different pestos over the years, but it never occurred to me to try one with roasted asparagus, or roasted anything for that matter.

The pesto was wonderful, but the earthy flavor of the asparagus was unfortunately overshadowed by the assertiveness of the basil. I bought some anyway, and as I was finishing the last delicious bite, the thought arose: Why don’t you create your own version and make sure the asparagus is the star?

Luckily, I had bought a few bunches of fresh field asparagus at the market, and they were waiting in the frig.

I roasted a pound of asparagus, along with a couple handfuls of Oregon hazelnuts. After these steps were complete, the pesto went together quickly, and for dinner, we noshed on pesto and Seeded Bread Crisps. Sublime.

The second night, however, with a sizable quantity of pesto remaining, I decided to try a different approach. So I hydrated and cooked flageolet beans; tossed them with green onions, capers, and pesto; slathered additional pesto on chewy, warmed flatbread; piled the beans on top; and finished with roasted asparagus, crumbled feta, and super-sweet tomatoes. After we devoured the first bites, I exclaimed (in the tradition of my grandmother Mary), “I’m a genius!.”

The third night, MauiJim PLEADED for a repeat of the second night. And on the fourth night, I pureed the remaining pesto-dressed beans and made a lovely, creamy soup.

My point is that there is no end to the dishes you can make with this lovely pesto. Try it as a sauce smeared under a grilled filet of salmon, toss it with strozzapreti, stuff an omelet with it, or slather it on grilled corn. It’s a great way to celebrate the fleeting local asparagus season.

Roasted Asparagus & Hazelnut Pesto

This earthy, roasted pesto is unusual and well worth the effort of roasting the asparagus and toasting the hazelnuts. The parsley adds vibrant color to the otherwise olive-hued asparagus. I prefer this pesto a bit on the chunky side, so that the asparagus is still visible, but you may go for silky smooth if you wish.

NOTE   As explained in an earlier post, Spicy Sorrel Chive Pesto, extra-virgin olive oil contains bitter tasting polyphenols, which are coated with fatty acids. The fatty acids hold the polyphenols in check. Extreme agitation, as with a processor or blender, releases the polyphenols. Agitation is a problem when mixing a mayonnaise or vinaigrette, but with pesto, the other ingredients are thought to buffer the reaction. In my recent tests, however, the polyphenols wreaked havoc with the pesto, lending a sharply bitter aftertaste. To be on the safe side, I now use either a light olive oil or a flavorless vegetable oil for all pestos.

1 pound fresh asparagus, ends trimmed and thick stems peeled (about 9 thick stalks)
1 tablespoon light olive oil

4 ounces (1 cup) hazelnuts

1 ounce flat-leaved parsley leaves (from 2 ounces parsley with stems)
1/2 ounce (small handful) fresh basil leaves (from 1 ounce basil with stems)
finely grated zest of 1 large lime
2 large garlic cloves, peeled, ends trimmed
½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano or other dry grating cheese, such as pecorino romano, grana padano, dry asiago, or dry jack cheese (try a half-and-half combination of pecorino romano and grana padano)

½ cup light olive oil (not extra-virgin) (or rapeseed or canola oil)
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
½ teaspoon fine sea salt, or more to taste

  1. To roast the asparagus, place the asparagus on an edged baking sheet, drizzle with oil, and toss to coat the asparagus evenly with oil and salt.
  2. Arrange the oil-coated asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet.
  3. Roast at 400° for about 25 minutes, until tender. Remove baking sheet from the oven and let asparagus cool to room temperature. Cut into 1-inch lengths. Discard any ends that are not tender.
  4. To toast the hazelnuts, arrange on an edged baking sheet without overcrowding.
  5. Bake at 300°F for 20-30 minutes, until the skins crack and the nuts smell fragrant. Remove from the oven and let cool somewhat.
  6. When cool enough to handle but still warm, rub nuts together with your hands or rub them against a rough cloth. The tough portion of the skins will easily come off. Don’t worry about what remains; there is always quite a bit of skin left on the nuts.
  7. To make the pesto, in a processor fitted with the steel knife, process asparagus, parsley, garlic, cheeses, and hazelnuts until desired consistency (chunky, smooth, or in-between).
  8. Add ½ cup of oil, crushed red pepper, and salt, and pulse briefly to distribute. Taste and adjust salt as necessary.
  9. Spoon the pesto into a container and cover with a tight fitting lid. Refrigerate until needed. Pesto will keep, covered and chilled, for about one week.

Makes about 2½ cups.

More from LunaCafe

  • The Wonderful World of Fresh Pesto (Basic Pesto, Pesto Oil, Rosemary Hazelnut Pesto, Cilantro Ginger Pesto, Herb Garden Pesto, Basil Arugula Pesto, Basil Olive Pesto)
  • Spicy Sorrel Chive Pesto
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Please leave a comment. Include your blog URL so CommentLuv will automatically link to your most recent blog post. And join me at LunaCafe on Facebook for daily adventures in the OtherWorldly Kitchen. Let’s get cooking! …Susan

Copyright 2012 Susan S. Bradley. All Rights Reserved.

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Filed Under: Condiments, Pesto, Spring Fever Tagged With: pesto, roasted asparagus, toasted hazelnuts

About Susan S. Bradley

Intrepid cook, food writer, culinary instructor, creator of the LunaCafe blog, author of Pacific Northwest Palate: Four Seasons of Great Cooking, and former director of the Northwest Culinary Academy.

Previous Post: « Picnic for the Planet
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Seth

    May 9, 2014 at 5:42 am

    Hi, I check your new stuff daily. Your humoristic style is awesome, keep up the good work!
    Seth´s last blog post ..SethMy Profile

  2. Al

    November 8, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    This pesto sounds great! Do you have an advice what to use instead of hazelnuts in case of allergy?
    Thank you!
    Al´s last blog post ..Best white asparagus recipe everMy Profile

    • Susan S. Bradley

      November 15, 2013 at 12:45 pm

      Al,hmmm… Nuts are required for pesto. But don’t let that deter you! Leave them out, and you will get Pistou or Chimichurri. Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistou

  3. Cath

    May 27, 2012 at 2:30 am

    I have a really sad and bad experience with pesto that it took me 6 years before trying anything with pesto. Since I started my food blog and my current recipe searching adventure I realized I can make my own with ingredients that would definitely suit my taste. I’ll try this and hopefully my tastebuds will say, yeah, go for it. 🙂
    Cath´s last blog post ..mango cooler with cayenneMy Profile

  4. Emma

    May 19, 2012 at 2:27 am

    Pesto is one of my favourite things ever, it’s so versatile. I’ve never thought to make it with asparagus though, it’s inspired and looks really delicious.

    Thanks for your kind comment on my site also 🙂
    Emma´s last blog post ..Happy FridayMy Profile

    • Susan S. Bradley

      May 19, 2012 at 3:01 pm

      Thank you Emma! 🙂

  5. Jennifer Parks

    May 14, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    Just returned from a trip to Portland and their local farmer’s market. Tried the Roasted Asparagus & Hazelnut Pesto from the same shop you mentioned and fell in love with it (i LOVE hazelnuts). Came home and searched for recipes and was delighted to find yours. YUM
    Jennifer Parks´s last blog post ..Thai MenuMy Profile

    • Susan S. Bradley

      May 19, 2012 at 3:08 pm

      Jennifer, so glad you got to experience the Portland Farmers Market and Pesto Outside the Box. Both are inspiring. Do try the pesto, it’s so good.

      • Jennifer Parks

        August 22, 2012 at 6:14 pm

        Finally got around to making this tonight and it served it as a spread over bruschetta. yum!

        • Susan S. Bradley

          August 23, 2012 at 10:47 am

          Awesome, Jennifer, thanks for letting us know! 🙂

  6. Kevin (Closet Cooking)

    May 9, 2012 at 6:22 pm

    Now that is a really nice looking pesto! I do something similar but with pistachios.
    Kevin (Closet Cooking)´s last blog post ..Crispy Rolled Shrimp TacosMy Profile

    • Susan S. Bradley

      May 19, 2012 at 3:10 pm

      Hey Kevin, thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  7. Dana Zia

    May 7, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    I’ve been thinking about you! Went to Maui for three weeks and ate a lot of desserts! Gained 6 pounds. Ack. Anyway I’ve been thinking about doing my next article on Pestos and using some of your recipes. Of course , I will give you credit and the link to your site. Is that okay? Love this recipe!! I made a walnut, what ever herb I could grab pesto tonight and smeared in on a whole chicken and roasted it. Delish!
    Dana Zia´s last blog post ..Greening your kitchenMy Profile

    • Susan S. Bradley

      May 9, 2012 at 8:33 am

      Hi there Dana! 🙂 Three weeks on Maui, and all those desserts, WOW! Thank goodness spring has finally sprung in Portland. The annual cherry tree explosion was spectacular.

      Once you start making pesto, you will discover a hundred different and equally wonderful combinations. I love your idea of smearing it on a whole roasted chicken. Are your herbs up in the garden already? It’s time for me to swap he violas for herbs in the pots on the deck in the city. And then we will soon have a house on the Washington peninsula, and I’m looking forward to converting the entire back yard into an herb and perennial garden. City living is awesome, but we need the country too.

      I usually protect my copyright with some vigor (in case anyone else is reading this) but for you darlin’, yes feel free to use the pesto recipes with attribution. Looking forward to your post!

      • Dana Zia

        May 22, 2012 at 12:10 pm

        Yes indeedy, six extra pounds of desserts! A house on the Washington peninsula?? COOL! Have some friends that live up there and love it. Full time or part time? I have a huge herb garden and a designated herb planter box right out side the sliding glass door. Right now I have chives, sage, parsley, rosemary, thyme, oregano, lavender and with tarragon just starting to come up. Any sage pestos you recommend? I have to cut that monster back!
        Off to write the article. Big hugs to you Susan ?

  8. Victoria Challalncin

    May 7, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    As always, your recipes fascinate and captivate. This looks absolutely wonderful. I can almost “taste” the photos.
    Victoria Challalncin´s last blog post ..Huaraches and Cinco de MayoMy Profile

    • Susan S. Bradley

      May 9, 2012 at 8:34 am

      Thank you Victoria! 🙂

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