Vegan warm edamame and courgette pesto

Vegan warm edamame and courgette pesto with courgette, edamame, hemp seeds, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice – creamy, savoury and quick to make.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 15 min
• Cooking time: 15 min
• Total time: 30 min
• Calories: 380 kcal per serving
• Protein: 26 g
• Fat: 24 g
• Carbs: 14 g

Ingredients

• 3 courgettes
• 200 g edamame
• 3 tbsp hemp seeds
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil & lemon juice

Method

You’ll need: saucepan · blender · chopping board · knife · mixing bowl

1. Wash the courgettes, cut them into rough chunks and thaw the edamame if needed. Peel the garlic and set it aside with the hemp seeds.
2. Put the courgettes and edamame in a saucepan and heat briefly until everything is soft and warmed through. This makes the pesto especially creamy later on.
3. Put the warm courgettes and edamame in a blender with the garlic, hemp seeds, olive oil and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy.
4. If the pesto is too thick, add a little warm water a splash at a time. Round it off with lemon juice or a little salt to taste.
5. If you want to serve it extra warm, briefly heat the pesto again over a low heat. Don't let it boil hard, so the colour and flavour stay fresh.
6. Spoon into a bowl and serve warm straight away.

Good to know

A warm pesto like this feels a bit like after-work cooking with attitude. Creamy and green without being heavy.

Swaps

Hemp seeds → walnuts (more omega-3 from whole nuts, creamier; contains tree nuts) Olive oil → avocado (saves added oil and still makes the pesto smooth) Edamame → green peas (similarly mild) Lemon juice → lime juice (fresher flavour, contains vitamin C)

Allergens

This recipe contains soya and hemp seeds. Usually suitable for children in small, well-blended portions, and in pregnancy cooked edamame are generally fine, unless you react to soya.

Frequently asked questions

Which nutrients are in edamame?

Edamame provide plant protein, fibre, folate, iron, magnesium and potassium. They also contain plant compounds from the soya bean, such as isoflavones.

What do hemp seeds add to this pesto?

Hemp seeds contain unsaturated fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, as well as magnesium, iron and a little zinc. They also make the pesto creamier without any nuts.

Is garlic always a good idea with a sensitive stomach?

Not necessarily. Garlic contains sulphur compounds and is one of the ingredients that can cause discomfort for some people with a sensitive stomach or IBS.

Is the soya in edamame a problem for hormones?

Edamame contain isoflavones, natural plant compounds from soya. Normal amounts as part of a balanced diet aren't generally considered problematic, but if you're unsure, it makes sense to ask your doctor for an individual assessment.

Why does lemon juice go well with it?

Lemon juice provides vitamin C and a fresh acidity. It brightens the creamy pesto, balances the mild edamame and keeps the flavour lively.

Dairy-free recipes