What’s not to love about pesto? The green stuff is like magic when it comes to culinary creations. On pastas, it becomes a creamy sauce, while it serves as an ideal base for pizzas and sandwiches. Plus, did we mention the variety of pestos on the market? Sure, you can stick with the classic green, basil-packed variety. When browsing the aisles (or making it yourself), however, consider switching things up with herby additions like parsley and mint or go out of the box with sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms. The sky’s the limit!
Presto! Pesto Appetizers
Horsefeathers
94 North Broadway, Tarrytown; 914.631.6606
The sometimes spooky but always delicious Horsefeathers in Tarrytown serves up a sweet seafood appetizer with everyone’s favorite basil-packed condiment. The Stonnington scallops are pan-seared with tartar and pesto and so good you’ll want to buy one of the Horsefeathers hoodies on your way out.
Or for something completely different, ask for a side of pesto and slather it all over your fries. Can we get a YUM?
Pesto Pasta Dishes That Are Worth Every Penne
Tredici North
578 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase; 914.997.4113
This pasta dish needs gnocchi into your heart (see what we did there?). It’s house-made pesto gnocchi with julienned zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus tips, spring peas, and slow-roasted heirloom tomatoes, and it’s out of this world.
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The Pesto Part of Dinner Is the Entrée
Angelina’s
97 Lake Ave, Tuckahoe; 914.779.7944
At Angelina’s Ristorante of Tuckahoe, each of the four dining rooms has a unique look and atmosphere, and luckily you can dine on the eggplant Genovese in all of them. Stuffed with ricotta and spinach, it’s served in a dreamy pesto cream sauce.
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Mulino’s
99 Court St, White Plains; 914.761.1818
If you’re a firm believer in the notion that pesto, pasta, and protein comprise the most balanced and delicious main course, then the braciola di maiale is a go. It features a Berkshire Farm stuffed pork chop with prosciutto di parma, roasted peppers, garlic, gruyere cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, all served in a light pesto sauce.
Related: How to Be a Pasta Chef in Westchester County
Pesto-licious Pizzas
Ristorante Lucia
454 Old Post Rd, Bedford;914.234.7600
Not one, not two, but three pizzas receive the beautiful basil pesto treatment at this charming restaurant. The margherita has fresh tomato sauce, sliced fresh mozzarella, and basil pesto drizzle zig-zagged all across the top. The wild mushroom pizza starts with a basil pesto before the arrival of shiitake mushroom and mozzarella. And lastly, the caprese pizza boasts sliced tomato, sliced mozzarella, fresh basil, and your favorite green sauce.
This Pesto Dish Is on a Roll
Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem; 914.485.1210
Apple cider donuts aren’t the only delicious treats Harvest Moon has to offer. Appreciate the fresh air and landscape views while munching on not one, but two pesto sandwiches on the menu. The grilled veggie panini features zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions, pesto mayo, and mozzarella on sourdough. The black bean burger is stacked with lettuce, tomato, onion, and sun-dried tomato pesto on brioche.
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The Pesto Part of Waking up
The Granola Bar
96 Purchase St, Rye; 914.709.4229
If you’re like us and think that a good brekkie is the best reason to get out of bed, then check out this scrumptious scramble. It’s a soft-scrambled egg served on sourdough with a solid dollop of the green stuff.
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This Homemade Pesto Will Have You Feeling Saucy
Trotta’s House of Pasta
790 Commerce St, Thornwood; 914.769.8977
Pick up one of these homemade sauces for a quick and delish dinner at home. Family-owned since 1955, this is the Italian grocery store to pick up an eight-ounce tub of traditional pesto and sometimes less common versions. Experience the flavorful combination of fresh basil, aromatic garlic, and rich pine nuts with the traditional Genovese variety. It’s perfect for adding a burst of Italian flavor to pasta, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards. But sometimes there’s arugula pesto, which substitutes the sweet basil for the spicy green, and it also includes walnuts.
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