Hazelnut Free Garlic Ginger Fresh Herb Pesto
Pesto is one of those sauces that feels instantly special, and this version brings a bright, herby punch with a little unexpected warmth from fresh ginger. Instead of the traditional pine nuts — or the hazelnuts that sometimes sneak into store-bought blends — raw sunflower seeds do the heavy lifting, giving the pesto a satisfying body and subtle nuttiness without any tree nut concerns. Fresh ricotta adds a creamy, slightly tangy richness that makes the whole thing feel luxurious without being heavy. The combination of basil and flat-leaf parsley keeps the flavor vibrant and green, while the garlic and ginger layer in a savory depth that makes this pesto genuinely hard to stop eating. A food processor brings it all together in minutes, so you get a silky, cohesive sauce with just enough texture to cling to pasta, toast, or roasted vegetables. It stores beautifully in the fridge for a couple of days or freezes in small portions, meaning you can always have a jar ready to go when dinner needs a fast upgrade.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, packed
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
- ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup fresh ricotta
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Add the basil, parsley, garlic, and ginger to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the herbs are roughly broken down and the garlic and ginger are finely chopped.
- 2
Add the sunflower seeds and fresh ricotta. Pulse another 6–8 times until the seeds are coarsely ground and the mixture looks evenly combined but still has some texture.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!