{"id":44668,"date":"2024-05-06T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thegreenlist.nl\/?p=44668"},"modified":"2026-02-03T20:07:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T19:07:48","slug":"wild-leaf-pesto-dutch-pesto-of-ground-elder-and-wild-garlic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegreenlist.nl\/en\/wildplukpesto-hollandse-pesto-van-zevenblad-en-daslook\/","title":{"rendered":"Wild-leaf pesto: Dutch pesto of ground elder and wild garlic"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We know pesto mainly as an Italian delicacy, but did you know that you can also make a Dutch version from wild garlic and ground elder that just grow around us in the spring months. This wild garlic pesto tastes delicious. Delicious on toast, bread or pasta! Our wild mushroom expert Katja shares her recipe for pesto made from ground elder and wild garlic.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Dutch seven-leaf pesto?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A Dutch wild game pesto is quite similar to Italian pesto -. that recipe can be found here<\/a>. This variant is another flavourful sauce made from fresh herbs, nuts, garlic, cheese and olive oil. Only in this case, we omit the traditional basil and use wild plants such as ramson and ground elder. These plants give the pesto a spicy twist. Perfect for with pasta, on bread or as a seasoning in various dishes. Before you get enthusiastic about this recipe, it is important to know a few things about ground elder, wild garlic and wild picking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ground elder, an edible plant packed with vitamins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ground elder, also known as gardener's weed, is a common plant in gardens, kitchen gardens, parks, roadsides and forests. The name suggests that the plant can always be recognised by its seven leaves, but nothing could be further from the truth. Often there are seven, but very often the plant has only three, five or even nine leaves. It grows very fast, which is why people with gardens are not fond of it. Although it is often seen as a weed, it is a super-healthy little plant full of vitamins A and C, antioxidants, proteins and minerals. It is related to celery and parsley. I like ground elder with almost everything, as it has the flavour of parsley\/carrot\/c celery. You can use it like spinach, but it is also a treat in pestos, savoury pies, stir-fries or in a smoothie. And did you know that butterflies and bees also love<\/a> on this plant? Do you have ground elder in your garden? Keep it in check, but don't remove it completely, is my advice. It's too tasty and too important for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wild garlic, a type of wild garlic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Daslook is a special little plant that was protected until 2017. It is a wild plant with oblong leaves and white star-shaped flowers, mainly found in wooded, semi-shaded areas. It has a garlicky smell and taste, which makes it popular in cooking. The edible leaves are suitable for salads, pestos and soups, among other things. The star-shaped flowers are wonderful to use as a decoration for a dish, the seed pods can be pickled like capers, and the tubers below ground can be used as \u2018garlic cloves\u2019. Besides culinary uses, badger garlic also has medicinal properties. It is rich in iron and vitamin C and thus has a positive effect on the immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you should be very aware of what you are doing with any wild-picking operation, extra caution is needed with wild garlic. This is because the plant has two poisonous brothers<\/a> (or sisters) that look a damn sight alike. The May Flower mentioned in the above article is often better known as the beautiful but incredibly poisonous Lily of the Valley. Not an experienced wildflower picker? Then go in search of wild garlic with a guide or plant it in your garden<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Picking<\/figure><\/div>
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Dutch pesto from ground elder and ramson, both plants growing wild in the Netherlands. Good to know: baby ground elder can sometimes be found as early as February and grows into August or even September. Common garlic grows from March to July approximately.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Wild-leaf<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Dutch wild-leaf pesto of ground elder and wild garlic<\/h2>\n
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Are you familiar with all the game-picking rules and can identify plants well? Then it is great to make a wild-picking pesto. Leave out the basil. Instead, use ground elder and wild garlic from your own area, which grows abundantly and young between March and May!<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
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