Artichoke Stalk Pesto: Zero Waste Recipe

Welcome to the 20th issue of our Zero Waste in the Kitchen column.!
Today we value the artichoke stems, often overlooked but rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Turn them into artichoke pesto is an easy way to reduce waste in the kitchen, add flavor to recipes and take advantage of all the nutritional benefits of artichokes.

Or prepare some tasty pancakes.

With artichoke stems, nothing is wasted: taste, health and sustainability in one ingredient!

Nutritional benefits of artichoke stems

Artichoke stems are often overlooked compared to other parts, but they are just as tasty and nutritious: are in fact a very good source of fiber, which are important for bowel function, and contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. These include the vitamin C fundamental to the immune system, the vitamin K important for blood clotting and maintaining healthy bones, the potassium which controls proper muscle function and is essential for cardiac health, the magnesium, involved in many of the reactions that take place in cells, and the iron Involved in the production of hemoglobin.

Don't throw out the stems-they are nutritious and tasty, perfect for enriching your diet.

Pesto of artichoke stems

Ingredients:

• 150 g. artichoke stems (already cleaned)
• 30 g. almonds
• 20 g. of Parmigiano Reggiano DOP
• 1 clove of garlic
• 4 tablespoons of oil
• Salt
• Juice of one lemon

Preparation:

• Cleaning the stems
  Cut the stems into pieces and soak them in water with lemon juice to prevent oxidation. After a few minutes, rinse them under running water.

• Cooking
  Cook the stems in a pot with boiling water or in a steamer for 15-20 minutes, until they are soft.

• Blend the pesto
  Transfer the stalks to the blender, add oil and a pinch of salt, and blend briefly.
  Add almonds, Parmesan, and garlic and blend until smooth.
  If necessary, add a tablespoon of water to adjust the consistency.

• Conservation
  Pour the pesto into a clean glass jar, cover with a teaspoon of oil and store in the refrigerator.

Suggestion: perfect for topping pasta, crostini or focaccia, ideal for an original appetizer.

More Zero Waste ideas and recipes

• Pesto is an easy, tasty and versatile preparation. You can also prepare it with: i black cabbage stalks and with the clumps of the carrots.
• I broccoli stalks are great for making crispy chips.
• Longing for a artichoke risotto With radicchio, but little time to prepare it? No problem we have prepared it for you!
• Looking for more anti-waste recipes? Visit the section Zero wastes.