Pistachio Spinach Pesto

November is American Diabetes Month and I teamed up with Wonderful Pistachios to share some recipes and some of the health benefits of pistachios. Check out my recipe for Pistachio Spinach Pesto below.

The health benefits of Wonderful Pistachios

Plant-Based Protein

• Wonderful Pistachios are one of the highest protein snack nuts.
• They offer six grams of plant-based protein per serving and help fuel your body with essential amino acids.
• Wonderful Pistachios are a good source of plant-based protein and fiber. A serving of pistachios provides 6 grams of plant-based protein and 3 grams of fiber.

Heart Health and Diabetes

• Wonderful Pistachios can be included as part of a healthy diet for eating right with diabetes.
• The American Diabetes Association calls nuts a “diabetes superfood.”
• Heart-smart: A serving and a half of nuts per day, such as pistachios, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol is a great heart-healthy snack.

Healthy Snacking

• Nearly 90% of the fats found in pistachios are the better-for-you mono and polyunsaturated type. Plus, they provide a good source of plant protein and fiber, for a trio that may help keep you fuller longer.
• One of the lowest calorie, lowest fat snack nuts, pistachios offer more nuts per serving than most– about 49 pistachios, compared to 23 almonds, 18 cashews or 14 walnut halves. That’s right, pistachios give you more than twice as many nuts per serving as almonds and cashews, and more than three times as many pieces as walnuts.
• Unlike potato chips, pistachios offer a good source of protein and fiber, with more than three times as many pieces per serving. Pistachios give you 49 nuts per serving; compare that to just 15 potato chips per serving (and who eats just 15 potato chips?).
• A healthy, crave-able snack, pistachios are a smart snack you can feel good about anytime; a natural savory treat that tastes great and is good for you, too.

Antioxidants:

• Pistachios are a colorful nut – those greens and red-purples come from antioxidants.

Pistachio Spinach Pesto

Recipe by Maya Feller

Ingredients

• 2 cups baby spinach

• 2 tbsp Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Lightly Salted

• 2 cloves garlic

• ½ cup olive oil

Instructions

• Place spinach, pistachios, garlic, and oil into a blender or food processor.
• Pulse on medium until desired texture is reached.
• Store in the refrigerator or freezer.