Radicchio pesto is a delicious and versatile condiment that is made with radicchio, garlic, olives, walnuts, and Romano cheese. It has a unique flavor profile that is both bitter and sweet, with a slightly nutty undertone and a touch of acidity. Radicchio pesto can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta to pizza to grilled meat or fish.

If you are looking for a new and exciting way to add flavor to your meals, be sure to try radicchio pesto. It is a quick and easy recipe to make and will impress your guests.

Radicchio Pesto Recipe

Prep Time: 10 mins / Cook Time: 25 mins / Serves: 2 people / Calories per serving: 240 kcal

• 4 Garlic Cloves
• 7 pitted oil-cured Olives
• 1/4 cup Whole Walnuts
• 1/2 cup good quality Romano cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp + 1/2 cup Papa Vince Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/2 tbsp Papa Vince Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 small head Radicchio
• Papa Vince Sea Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground Black Pepper, to taste

How to make 

1. In food processor, combine garlic, olives, walnuts, Romano, and tablespoon of EVOO.
2. Cut radicchio in half, removing small core. Rinse and dry well. Lightly coat in EVOO.
3. On sheet pan, spread out radicchio leaves and place under broiler for 2-3 minutes or until the leaves turn light brown and wilt slightly.
4. Add broiled radicchio to food processor and combine under ingredients have a creamy consistency. This may take several times of stopping the food processor and scraping down the sides with a spatula.
5. Add 1/2 cup EVOO, 1/2 tbsp. vinegar, salt and pepper. Food processor a few more minutes until sauce is well combined and creamy.

What to expect

Radicchio pesto has a unique flavor profile that is both bitter and sweet, with a slightly nutty undertone. The Romano cheese adds a salty and savory element, while the balsamic vinegar provides a touch of acidity. The overall flavor is well-balanced and complex.

• Flavor: Bitter and sweet, with a slightly nutty undertone and a touch of acidity.
• Taste: Salty and savory, with a complex flavor profile.
• Smoothness: Slightly gritty, but still relatively smooth and spreadable.

Overall, radicchio pesto is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a great way to add a unique flavor and complexity to your meals.

Nutrition

This recipe is a good source of vitamin E, and vitamin K. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect the body from damage, while vitamin K is important for blood clotting and bone health. Also, this recipe is a good source of monounsaturated fat, a type of healthy fat that can help lower cholesterol levels.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Serving Size: 2 tbsp of Radicchio Pesto

Calories: 240kcal

Serving Suggestions

Toss with your favorite pasta and top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Spread on toasted bread or crackers.

Use as a dip for vegetables or chips.

Add to grilled chicken or fish.

Top on pizza or crostini.

Tips

• For a smoother pesto, remove the hard center of the radicchio leaves before chopping.
• If you don't have a food processor, you can chop the ingredients by hand and then whisk in the olive oil and vinegar until combined.
• To make a Vegan Pesto, use vegan Romano cheese or nutritional yeast in place of the Romano cheese.
• Store the pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Background

This is a recipe that was shared by one of our customers. She loves to use Papa Vince ingredients to create authentic Italian dishes.

Traditional basil pesto, a well-known and well-loved Italian sauce, was the inspiration for this recipe. Its simplicity allows each ingredient to shine through and when crushed together, or pestare in Italian, creates a perfect balance of flavor.

Pesto is an ideal meal for busy nights, everything comes together effortlessly in the food processor and often the longest wait is for the pasta to boil.

In an attempt to bring the fresh flavor of pesto to an otherwise grey winter day, this recipe emerged. However, living in a cooler climate, a recent toddler mishap involving an indoor basil plant- toddler 1: basil plant 0, and always trying to eat as seasonally as possible, I chose radicchio to be the star this time. While radicchio can be bitter and an otherwise grown-up taste, grilling or broiling it lightly mellows the bitterness and adds a creamy texture to the sauce.

In addition to being in season, radicchio has amazing health benefits. It promotes healthy digestion, is a great source of Vitamin K and Vitamin C, helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and a big plus for this time of year, helps increase immunity. The six cloves of garlic in this recipe is another big immunity booster, even if its through scaring away any possible human contact.

The beauty of pesto is the opportunity to adapt the recipe to the suit your tastes. Add more garlic for a nice sharp bite, more cheese for a creamier, saltier sauce, or more Papa Vince EVOO for a lighter and more mellow flavor.

An important ingredient to note is the addition of the Papa Vince Moscato vinegar. After making the sauce initially, it felt like something was missing. Looking over all of my ingredients, I realized I had forgotten the vinegar. After the addition, the sauce became a little sweeter and it brightened the flavor.

While I served this over pasta initially, there are a multitude of ways this sauce can be enjoyed. The pesto can be used as a dip for veggies, or my favorite way, is over navy beans, which have been warmed with a little butter and EVOO.

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