@chef jimmyj Pesto

[forktender]

@chef jimmyj

I've been making pesto in big batches for years now, my Nona always hot water bath canned it and as far as we know it never killed or even made them sick. But for the life of me I can't seem to find even a pressure canning recipe if fact everyone seems to think it will go rancid or worse.
What is your thought on this as far as food safety goes.

Thanks a bunch.
Dan

 

[gmc2003]

Isn't Jimmy Pesto a character on the cartoon Bobs Burgers?


Chris

 

[zwiller]

The canning folks are really cautious types and I understand why with pesto being not just low acid but zero acid. I grew basil a few times and always had bumper crops so I understand your dilemma. I researched this myself and think it's best to freeze it but maybe Chef JJ can help. Maybe Nona's recipe had acid in it?

 

[xray]

I vacuum seal my pesto with a little lemon juice in it and freeze.

Not too sure about how to go about canning. I read somewhere about preserving it without the cheese and then adding fresh grated cheese when making it?

 

[thirdeye]

We use the small zipper "snack" bags and press them flat..... then stack and freeze.

I think the biggest obstacle for pressure canning would be the temp in the jars, 240° might make it mushy.

 

[D.W.]

Freeze it. Lasts for years. Ice cube trays work great, or Rubbermaid baby food containers that are used for homemade baby food.

 

[forktender]

The canning folks are really cautious types and I understand why with pesto being not just low acid but zero acid. I grew basil a few times and always had bumper crops so I understand your dilemma. I researched this myself and think it's best to freeze it but maybe Chef JJ can help. Maybe Nona's recipe had acid in it?

I was thinking nothing a little citric acid couldn't help, but I'm not willing to risk it unless I can find a recipe.
I know my Nona's recipe was basil, salt, black pepper, pine nuts, Star EVOO and Romano cheese it didn't have any lemon juice or citric acid in it. Unless I find a recipe I'm just going to freeze it like I used to do.

 

[xray]

I was thinking nothing a little citric acid couldn't help, but I'm not willing to risk it unless I can find a recipe.
I know my Nona's recipe was basil, salt, black pepper, pine nuts, Star EVOO and Romano cheese it didn't have any lemon juice or citric acid in it. Unless I find a recipe I'm just going to freeze it like I used to do.

Here’s mine.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin w/ homemade Pesto

I have two thriving basil plants that needed a trim. Figured it would be a good time to make homemade pesto. There was also a pork tenderloin sitting in the fridge from last week that I never got around to smoking...so let’s combine the two. Here’s what I trimmed off Once the leaves were...

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