Kale Walnut pesto with raw beet root noodles

When the weather gets warm out, I love to include more delish raw dishes. No stove, no oven, just a spiral slicer and a food processor will do!

Other than easy meal prep, raw cuisine has the added benefits of:

  • High in vitamins and phytonutrients (heat can damage and diminish some nutrients naturally present in raw foods )
  • Healthy digestion and elimination (thanks to high fibre and enzyme contents)
  • Helps the body detoxify
  • Increased energy levels from nutrient dense and easily digestible foods
  • Raw vegan diet is very alkalizing to the body (read more on this topic)
  • Elevated mood and spirit!
  • Raw dishes are mostly cooling, fun and quick

Spiral what?? You can find this relatively inexpensive kitchen toy online or in some health food stores. This is what is used to make zucchini noodles and other fun raw dishes. This time I’m using it to make raw beet noodles for this uber fun and enticing super light and detoxifying recipe. If you don’t have a spiral slicer yet you can still make this dish with a good quality vegetable peeler (directions below).

 

Kale Walnut pesto with raw beet root noodles
Kale Walnut pesto with raw beet root noodles

Kale and Walnut Pesto with Beet Root Noodles

2 medium beet roots (equals about 2.5 cups when spiral sliced)
Sprinkle of sea salt

Kale pesto:
2 cups kale (packed) I used green kale in this recipe.
1 cup walnuts (preferably soaked for 4-6 hours) Here is why.. (you can substitute pumpkin seeds for a nut free pesto, I’ve tried it out!)
3 Tbsp hemp seeds
3 Tbsp lemon juice (1 lemon)
⅓ cup olive oil
¼ cup water
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp dried oregano
3 Tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
¼ tsp sea salt
How to make:
To make kale pesto, roughly chop kale, drain walnuts and place all ingredients, except olive oil into a food processor and pulse to mix. Then blend until smooth while pouring in olive oil.  You may have to stop the machine to scrape  the sides a couple of times and add a touch more water or oil if things aren’t moving well.
Wash and peel beets. Use a spiral slicer to make noodles (with the smallest blade) or use your vegetable peeper to make long ribbons, then slice thinly. You should have roughly 2.5 cups of noodles. Sprinkle noodles with ¼ tsp sea salt and gently massage with your hands.
Divide noodles into to serving dishes and top with pesto. Enjoy!!

Makes 2 servings.

If you have some kale pesto left over, use it as a dip for veggies or crackers. YUM!

Kale Walnut pesto with raw beet root noodles

What’s your favourite way to use the spiral slicer? Comment below and share this recipe with your friends!