Despite my allergy to dairy and nuts, I am a huge pesto lover! Making dairy-free, nut-free pesto is so easy and really delicious. I use shelled pumpkin seeds instead of pine nuts to achieve the right texture and flavor. What I enjoy most about this recipe is how bright and light it is. The flavors of the lemon juice and olive oil really shine through, as does the earthiness of the whole wheat pasta.
Free from: peanuts, nuts, dairy, egg, soy, fish, shellfish
Alternatives: If you have gluten intolerance or wheat allergy, use a gluten-free pasta that is allergy-safe for you
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups whole basil leaves
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
1/4 cup avocado flesh
1/3 cup + 1 tsp olive oil
2 servings cooked whole wheat linguine
1 bell pepper (or half each of two colours of bell pepper, like I used)
salt and pepper to taste
Cut the pepper into chunks and toss with about 1 tsp of olive oil. Spread out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and season with salt. Roast at 400F for about 15 - 20 minutes.
Add the basil, lemon juice, pepitas, avocado, and olive oil to a food processor and pulse until smooth.
Once the peppers are cooked, slice them into strips. Toss the peppers, cooked linguine, and pesto so that everything is well combined.
Serves 2
