Cilantro-Cotija Pesto

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Spread the pumpkin seeds in an even layer on a dry baking sheet. Bake until lightly brown and let cool to room temperature.
  3. Put the cilantro, basil, and olive oil into a food processor and puree for 2 minutes. Add the chile, garlic, pumpkin seeds, and cotija, and pulse until you have a coarse puree. Season with salt and pepper to taste. To store, put it into a container with a tight-fitting lid and pour 1/4 inch of olive oil over the surface to keep out the air. Each time you use it, stir that oil in, and replace with another 1/4 inch of oil before closing the container. This makes an airtight seal that will keep it tasting fresh for up to 10 days

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pumpkin seeds, unsalted, raw or roasted
  • 1/2 bunch Peak Fresh Produce® Cilantro
  • 1 cup Peak Fresh Produce® Basil Leaves
  • 1 cup oil, olive, plus extra for storage
  • 1/2 serrano chile, or 1 jalapeño, coarsely chopped
  • 2 Peak Fresh Produce® Garlic, Clove(s), coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Contigo Cotija Cheese , crumbled
  • salt and black pepper