Pescatarian Basil-Pesto Cucumber Gazpacho Shooters
Cool, bright, and endlessly refreshing, these cucumber gazpacho shooters are the kind of appetizer that stops a party in its tracks. The base is built from fresh English cucumbers blended smooth with lemon juice, shallot, garlic, apple cider vinegar, and a whisper of ground ginger — then strained until it's silky and clean-tasting. A swirl of vibrant basil pesto dropped right on top adds richness and a gorgeous visual flourish that looks far more impressive than the effort required. Since the whole recipe is built around produce, olive oil, and fresh herbs, it fits naturally into a pescatarian lifestyle without any substitutions or workarounds. Chilling the gazpacho before serving is the key step — it deepens the flavor and makes each shooter taste impossibly crisp. These are ideal for warm-weather entertaining, passed appetizers, or an elegant first course that comes together almost entirely in a blender. Make the pesto swirl while the base chills and you'll have a stunning, no-cook bite ready to impress.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
For the gazpacho base
- 2 large english cucumbers (about 2 lb total), roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small shallot, roughly chopped
- 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
For the AIP pesto swirl
- 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
For serving
- thin cucumber rounds, for serving (optional)
- fresh basil leaves, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the chopped cucumbers, lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, shallot, garlic, apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, and ground ginger in a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 60 seconds.
- 2
Pour the blended gazpacho through a fine-mesh strainer set over a large bowl, pressing gently with a spatula until only dry pulp remains. Discard the pulp. Taste and adjust salt. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 30 minutes.
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