Green Heart Blog

Garden Pesto Taste Test & Recipe

Last week, the After School students at Mitchell Elementary participated in a garden taste test led by Chef Carolyn Fraser from The Park Cafe. The goal of the taste test was to incorporate as many ingredients from the garden as possible, and Carolyn came up with the perfect solution… garden fresh pesto!

At first the students we a little weary of the ‘gooey green stuff’ blended straight from the garden, but once we got started preparing there was no looking back. Each student was charged with a task in order to assemble the meal; whether it be harvesting herbs, washing collard greens, or snipping pea tendrils, every student did their part and before long they were jabbering away excitedly about trying the taste test they had worked so hard to prepare.

When all the ingredients had been harvested, washed and assembled, Carolyn gathered everyone to see the pesto-making process in action. As the students huddled around eagerly, she carefully added each ingredient, usually followed by an even louder “I harvested that!” or “ I washed this!” Needless to say, the students were quite proud of the contributions they had made. Once the pesto was blended using seemingly every green and edible plant in the garden, she tossed the pesto over some al dente pasta, garnished it with a few broccolini stalks, and voila! We were ready to taste!

On the count of three, we sampled the pesto together. The reactions on the students’ faces were priceless–they couldn’t believe just how much they liked it, so much so, that nearly all of them used the leftover collard leaves as a makeshift spoon to soak up every last bit of pesto in their bowls.

We know what you’re thinking… I want to try this recipe too. Well you’re in luck! Chef Carolyn has generously provided us with all the how-t0 details and ingredients so you can replicate this delicious garden creation at home. Give it a try and let us know what you think… We have a feeling you are going to love it just as much as we do!