Black Beans and Long Hot Green Peppers with Cilantro Pesto
Author: Nicole
Ingredients
  • 4 long hot green peppers, seeds removed and cut into short strips
  • ⅔ cup plus 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil plus
  • 1 cup (4.5 ounces) pepitas (pumpkin seeds), divided
  • 1 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves and stems
  • ⅓ cup grated Pecorino-Romano cheese
  • 3 garlic cloves, skins removed
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and deveined
  • 2 15.5 ounce cans of black beans, rinsed and drained
Instructions
  1. In a frying pan over medium heat, heat 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil. Sauté long hot green peppers until soft and slightly browned, about 7 to 9 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Preheat toaster or regular oven to 350°F. Place pepitas on a rimmed cookie sheet and roast until fragrant and start to darken, about 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool and remove set aside ⅓ cup for pesto.
  3. In a food processor, blender or Vitamix, add ⅓ cup of pepitas, cilantro, cheese, garlic cloves, lemon juice, jalapeño pepper and sea salt. Blend until combined. With motor running, add extra virgin olive oil in a steady stream until pesto comes together. Taste and add salt as needed.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine black beans, long hot green peppers, remaining pepitas and ½ cup pesto. Toss go coat and add more pesto if needed. Let sit for an hour at room temperature or for a few hours in the refrigerator for flavors to develop. Serve at room temperature.
Notes
Recipe makes about 1 cup of pesto so you will likely have leftovers. It will keep for a week in the refrigerator or frozen for up to three months.
Recipe by Riegl Palate at https://www.rieglpalate.com/black-beans-and-long-hot-green-peppers-with-cilantro-pesto/