Toasted Pepita, Rocket and Basil Pesto Recipe
By Tracey Bailey, Biome founder
I've made a lot of pesto from my garden but this recipe makes the best ever. It is less oily than using pine nuts, and a less intense flavour than purely basil. Nothing can beat the true flavour of home grown rocket.
Toasting the pepita seeds and also cooking the garlic a little first made all the difference. I'm not a fan of raw garlic, so cooking off the garlic briefly at the end of toasting the pepitas worked so well. And for vegans and soy intolerant such as myself, I use umami-rich vegan options like chickpea miso and nutritional yeast.
Why this pesto is different
- Toasted pepitas instead of pine nuts: cheaper, less oily, and more sustainable.
- Lightly cooked garlic: no harsh raw garlic bite!
- Rocket + basil: balanced flavour with a peppery lift.
- No cheese needed: miso or nutritional yeast adds the umami hit, perfect for vegans or those avoiding dairy.
Better still, it’s incredibly easy—and I hope it inspires you to grow your own rocket to make it!
Growing rocket
Rocket is one of the easiest greens to grow and can be grown for months in much of Australia. The cooler months of Autumn and Spring are perfect for lush growth. I recommend mass planting from either seeds or two punnets of seedlings planted quite close together. It seems to thrive when growing en masse—just like humans, it does better with a bit of support!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup raw pepita seeds
- 3 cups mixed rocket stems and basil leaves
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon, plus 3 tablespoons of juice
- Salty & cheesiness options:
- 2 good teaspoons of chickpea miso paste OR
- 2-3 tablespoons of Nutritional Yeast* OR
- For a deeper umami flavour, use 1–1.5 teaspoons chickpea miso paste + 1–2 tablespoons nutritional yeast OR
- 1/4 cup of grated parmesan of your choice (including vegan parmesan)
- 2 large cloves garlic - chopped roughly
- 1/2 teaspoon Tasman sea salt, or more to taste
- Generous fresh ground black pepper
- Water as needed
Method
-
Toast the pepitas in a dry pan over medium heat until just golden.
-
Add garlic and a splash of olive oil to the pan and toss briefly—just until the garlic is fragrant and slightly golden. Don’t overcook or it will go bitter.
- Add all ingredients except the olive oil to a food processor.
- Pour in half the olive oil and blitz.
- Scrape down the sides, add remaining oil, and blitz again. If it’s too thick, add a little water to thin to your desired consistency.
- Spoon into a clean glass jar and store in the fridge.
Serving ideas
- As a dip or spread on crackers and sandwiches
- Tossed through pasta, quinoa, or roast vegetables
- Swirled into soups or grain bowls for extra zing
Ingredient notes
* Chickpea miso. I recently found out I am allergic to soy (sad for a vegan). So this Chickpea miso has been a saviour. In this recipe it perfectly replaces the sharpness and saltiness of parmesan. Made from fermented chickpeas instead of soyeans, Chickpea miso still has a umami flavour but is less salty and a little more sweet than soy miso.
* Nutritional yeast. Another great vegan option that adds cheesy flavour without dairy. For a noticeable cheesy, umami flavour in this rocket pesto, I recommend using 2 to 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast:
- 2 tablespoons will give a subtle cheesy note that complements the rocket and basil.
- 3 tablespoons will boost the savoury "parmesan-like" depth without overpowering the freshness.
You can always start with 2 and add more to taste after blending. Since nutritional yeast varies slightly in saltiness and flavour depending on the brand, adjusting to your preference works best.
* Tasman Sea Salt. Compared with Celtic sea salt flakes, Australia's very own Tasman sea salt is:
- harvested from much cleaner, pristine waters off Tasmania
- lower in sodium than Celtic sea salt
- contains the same beneficial sea minerals and nutrients
- more flavourful
- naturally pure white flakes, not grey
- evaporated with clean energy
- a better choice for the environment.
Learn more here about Why Tasman Sea Salt.
Grow your own rocket
It's easy to grow your own rocket in a pot on a balcony or deck, or in a garden bed or veggie patch. Little Veggie Patch Rocket Seeds or Select Organic Rocket Seeds
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