This Cucumber Parsley Pesto is wonderful to enjoy on any hot summer day. The cucumber and parsley create a refreshing combination.
This pesto is great for a soiree or picnic. It’s wonderful spread on to cucumber slices, crackers or bread. You can also mix it into a salad along with a squeeze of lemon and a touch of champagne vinegar.
Try it with a crisp white wine like an unoaked Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Or cucumber water like I have in the photos.
Cucumber Parsley Pesto Recipe:
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cucumber - peeled
- 2 Cups Italian Parsley Leaves
- 1 Cup Raw Walnuts
- 1 1/2 Cup Grated Aged Asiago Cheese
- 1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt or to Taste
Instructions
-
Add all ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend until pureed.
Health Benefits:
Italian Parsley has an excellent source of vitamins C and A. The Vitamin A in parsley supports the tissues that line your lungs and promotes eye health. And the C protects your retinas from the sun that causes free-radical damage. It is rich in lutein, which is an antioxidant that protects against macular degeneration. It is a good source of folic acid that is great for cardiovascular health. It is one of the richest herb sources for vitamin K making parsley great for your bones. The iron in parsley helps get rid of carbon dioxide and brings oxygen to your tissues. It is an excellent blood purifier with its high chlorophyll content and a good remedy for lung infection or asthma. It is also rich in anti-oxidants and a good source of potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium.
Cucumber is a good source of A and B vitamins that give you energy and the skin benefits from the really high content of vitamin C which ironically is primarily in the skin of the cucumber. They help eliminate toxins and keep you hydrated with the water content, which is 95% and the dietary fiber aids the digestion and helps with heartburn. They are known to dissolve kidney stones by lowering uric acid levels. There is research in connection with reducing the risk of several cancers due to 3 lignin’s it contains. The juice is beneficial to diabetics due to a hormone it contains that help the cells of the pancreas produce insulin. Cucumbers help reduce cholesterol levels and regulating blood pressure so its great for both low blood pressure and high blood pressure. It is an excellent source of silica, magnesium, and potassium that helps promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissues, which makes it great for your skin, hair and nails.
