Skip to Content

Mustard Greens Pepita Pesto {Vegan, Nut-Free}

Spicy, citrusy, mustard greens pepita pesto, the perfect midwinter, superfood sauce for pasta, or as a spread or dip. Bonus: the ingredients also make it an ideal exercise recovery food!

I am pretty sure that what I am about to say has never been uttered or written before now:

Pesto is an ideal exercise recovery food.

Not just any pesto, but this pesto in particular. Part of what makes this utterly delicious pesto a grand choice following an intense bout of exercise is the humble pumpkin seed (specifically, the green kind, pepitas).  I’ll explain momentarily.

The second superstar recovery ingredient? If you’ve read the title to this post, you’ve got it: mustard greens. Peppery and packed with equal amounts of flavor and nutrition, mustard greens are uniquely suited for building you back up after you’ve given your workout everything that you’ve got.

Mustard Greens for Exercise Recovery

My discovery of this research came while I was hobbling around last week, sore (understatement!!!) from the previous Sunday’s marathon.  Why not stay seated and look up exercise recovery foods? Anything to stay seated :).

Two favorites popped up: dark greens and pepitas. Dark greens are nutrition powerhouses in general, but they are especially beneficial for exercise recovery because of their high antioxidant levels (think cell repair to the max). This is true of all leafy greens, but mustard greens have an additional benefit.

It’s called homobrassinolide.

Homobrassinolide is a naturally occurring steroid found in the mustard plant, and research suggests it can increase muscle mass and decrease breakdown of protein in the cells.

Caution, friends: don’t Grey Poupon yourself silly. These are initial research findings, and mustard is not the answer to all of are ills (dang it! I love mustard…) But still, it’s promising news. And, if any of us need additional incentives for eating mustard greens (especially since they show up all.the.time. in CSA deliveries), this is it!

Use Pepitas in Your Pesto (for Health and Flavor)

And the aforementioned pepitas? In addition to protein (rebuild that muscle) and healthy fat, pepitas are a good source of magnesium, a mineral that assists  in many biologic processes important to athletes (newbies, pros and everyone in between), most notably protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, and blood pressure regulation.

Ok, enough science, it’s time to eat. As a simple way to get your mustard greens and pepitas in one fell swoop is this unexpected, mid-winter pesto. It is so tasty, the exercise recovery and/or enhancement side effects can be moved to the bonus column.

The pesto has an assertive, peppery flavor, making it a great spread or dip, and, of course, a great sauce for pasta (any variety, gluten-free, regular, chickpea pasta, you name it).

For a quick and stellar pasta, pair it with some roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash; you can thank me later!

Happy eats, everyone!

Related Posts:

  1. Vegan White Bean Pesto {High Protein, Nut-Free}
  2. Chickpea Flour Broccoli Pasta Frittatas (vegan, grain-free)
  3. Cheese-y Chickpea Flour Crackers {grainfree, vegan}
  4. Cauliflower Rice Paella {vegan, keto option}
  5. Beet & Toasted Pepita Dip {vegan, oil-free, nut-free}
  6. Easy Vegan Keto Pesto (nut free option)
  7. 3-Ingredient Vegan Pesto Muffins {grain-free}
Mustard Greens Pepita Pesto {Vegan, Nut-Free}

Mustard Greens Pepita Pesto {Vegan, Nut-Free}

Yield: About 1-1/2 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Spicy, citrusy, mustard greens-pepita pesto, the perfect midwinter sauce for pasta, or as a spread or dip. The ingredients also make it an ideal exercise recovery food!

Ingredients

  • 1 medium lemon
  • 1 large bunch mustard greens, ends trimmed off, then coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup pepitas (green pumpkin seeds)
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt (more or less to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Grate 2 teaspoons lemon zest from the lemon. Cut in half and squeeze out 1-1/2 tablespoons juice.
  2. In a large food processor, process the mustard greens, pepitas and garlic, using on/off pulses, until finely chopped. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
  3. With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil, stopping to scrape the sides of bowl once or twice.
  4. Serve with pasta, as a spread, or as a dip.

Notes

Storage: Store the pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size 1 tablespoon
Amount Per Serving Calories 70Total Fat 7.5gSaturated Fat 1.1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 35mgCarbohydrates 0.6gFiber 0.5gSugar 0.1gProtein 1.2g

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @powerhungrycamilla on Instagram and hashtag it #powerhungrycamilla

 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Easy Vegan Pesto {nut-free options} | power hungry

Wednesday 14th of October 2020

[…] Mustard Greens Pepita Pesto {Vegan, Nut-Free} […]

3-Ingredient Vegan Pesto Muffins {grain-free} | power hungry

Wednesday 14th of October 2020

[…] Mustard Greens Pepita Pesto {Vegan, Nut-Free} […]

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe