Fennel Fronds Pesto

Fennel Fronds Pesto is a vibrant and flavorful twist on traditional pesto, made with fresh fennel fronds! It adds a unique anise-like flavor to any dish you pair it with!

If you'd like a more traditional pesto but want to keep it healthy and allergen friendly, check out this nut free pesto!

Ingredients

Fennel Fronds
Garlic
Pumpkin Seeds
Salt
Olive Oil

See the recipe card below for quantities!

How to Make Fennel Pesto

Start by rough chopping the fronds and garlic.

Add all ingredients into a blender.

Blend until everything is mixed, but note that you may need to stop and push everything back down the sides of the blender and drizzle in more oil if needed.

Enjoy!

Uses for Fennel Frond Pesto

Add some pesto to this Whole30 Mayo for a pesto flavored spread!
Try it with this sheet pan sausage and potatoes! It's Whole30 and paleo, and a great way to use this pesto, which is also paleo and Whole30!
Make this delicious Gluten Free Chicken Pesto Pasta in thick and creamy sauce!
Mix it with gluten free pasta serve with a chicken cutlet!
Serve it on top of cooked veggies.

Storage and Freezing

After blending, place the pesto in a glass jar. Smooth the top with a spoon, and lightly pour more olive oil on top. When placed in the fridge, the oil will harden and seal the top, and it will last much longer than without it.

Note that without the seal, it should last at least 5 days in the fridge.

If you'd prefer to freeze it, a great way to is to freeze it in ice cube containers! This way, when it's ready to be used, you just have to thaw only what you need.

What can I do with fennel fronds?

Check above for more answers because there are so many things you can do with fennel fronds! One thing to do is make this fennel fronds pesto recipe!

Can you eat fennel fronds?

Yes, the fronds are 100% edible! While many recipes use the bulb and people toss away the fronds, they are edible. Scroll above to see more uses for them!

Can you dry fennel fronds?

Yes you can! In a nutshell, put your oven on the warm setting (175-200 degrees), place the fronds in a single layer on a baking sheet, and place in the oven for approximately 20 minutes. Check this post out for more information, it also gives directions to make fennel salt.

How to store fennel fronds

To store them properly depends on you'll use them. If it's just the fronds themselves, and you put them in a plastic or paper bag at the grocery store, keep them in there in the fridge until you're ready to use them! Keeping them in the bottom drawer of the fridge will typically keep them fresh for longer.

Top Tip

Be prepared in advance to make this recipe! Many stores only sell fennel bulbs with the fronds already cut off, making it hard to fine them!

Check out farmer's markets and farm stands to also support local farmers!