# Snack Today: Cilantro Pesto

**By Paula Gallagher** · 2015-06-17

[![cilantro-pesto](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0319/0960/9603/files/cilantro-pesto-300x199.jpg)](http://www.myvillagegreen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/cilantro-pesto.jpg)Cilantro is a very polarizing herb – people either love it or they hate it. I love it... and with everything! In salsa, in a salad, on chicken or fish, in spring rolls... you name it, I will put cilantro on it. Cilantro looks like parsley, but it has a much more distinctive taste. It also has a wide variety of nutritional benefits. It is particularly high in immune-boosting vitamins A and C and is a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that may help prevent macular degeneration. It’s also full of fiber, important for lowering cholesterol and general good health. So, when I found a cilantro-based pesto at my local health food store recently, I had to try it. It did not disappoint. I ate it with crackers, pasta and even dipped my veggies in it. I concocted my own pesto at home and I enjoyed it even more. Here is the recipe I used. Keep in mind that you can substitute pine nuts, cashews or walnuts for the almonds.  **Cilantro Pesto** 3 cups cilantro, large stems removed 1/2 cup blanched almonds, chopped 2 Tbsp shallots, diced 1 jalapeno pepper diced (if you want a milder taste, you can omit this) 2 tsp lemon zest 1/2 tsp salt About 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided In a food processor or blender, pulse together cilantro, almonds, shallot, jalapeno, lemon zest, and salt. With food processor running, add 1/4 cup olive oil in a slow, steady stream. If pesto seems a little too thick for your taste, add cold water, 1 Tbsp at a time, until you get the consistency you like. Enjoy as a sauce, dip, on salad, or any other way you like. _Photo from [here](https://www.flickr.com/photos/elilliann/3314508090/in/photolist-63THMd-aBnt8w-gSMFE-482p2g-7XEybb-5W7JiY-5iSR6B-dDUkkH-7gfw3H-aBnuab-cb1UBE-djaB5y-6quCYp-mFcFqS-51UerY-Ju64p-aRSXwv-mFaLoH-4Tv9Ye-8FAdMB-aTh2Ha-bAx4Bp-6qyNzh-7VtwP3-9qGKx8-6tdxdU-nPZWUp-7xLb2J-6xzBc1-6smbC-X8Xfp-ziUj2-amwYJv-9o5tdK-9o7BbC-89NJ9S-84K28R-7JAL2Z-e5u8U-cz968E-cz96uA-49CmD2-4BnT1u-daUzSp-daUBEj-daUBC7-daUBA1-daUzJV-daUBw7-daUBtu), with thanks._

**Tags:** Category_Healthy Recipes, cilantro, recipe

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> Source: [Village Green Apothecary](https://myvillagegreen.com/blogs/post/snack-today-cilantro-pesto)