Italian Education
PESTO
CURSHED TO PERFECTION
Pesto is a beloved and traditional Italian sauce that originated in Genoa, the heart of the Liguria region, known for its vibrant green colour and fresh, aromatic flavour. Pesto alla Genovese is made from a simple yet flavourful combination of basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. The name “pesto” comes from the Italian word “pestare” meaning “to crush,” as the ingredients are traditionally ground together using a mortar and pestle. This iconic sauce has become a sample in Italian culinary heritage and is enjoyed worldwide in dishes such as pasta, pizza, and sandwiches. Pesto embodies the essence of Italian cuisine: fresh ingredients, bold flavours, and time-honoured traditions.
WHAT IS A PESTO & MORTAR?
The pestle and mortar is an ancient tool commonly used for making a variety of sauces, most notably pesto.
The inside of the bowl-shaped part of the tool is usually made of stone, ceramic, wood, or metal.
The inside of the mortar is typically rough or textured to help grind and crush ingredients.
A pestle is a blunt, club-shaped tool used to grind ingredients. The word “pestle” comes from the Latin word pistillum, which means “pounder.”
WHERE PESTO ORIGINATES
The recipe for classic basil pesto can be traced to the Italian city of Genoa, the capital of Liguria which is famed for its world class basil production.
The people of Genoa honour their ingredients and recipe with a passion that can sometimes border an obsession. They insist that pesto is a living, breathing thing; an alchemy that can exist in the temperature climate of its birthplace. They’ll even tell you, without a hint of irony, that pesto is the second thing a Genovese baby will taste after its mother’s milk.
WHAT IS A PESTO & MORTAR?
The pestle and mortar is an ancient tool commonly used for making a variety of sauces, most notably pesto.
The inside of the bowl-shaped part of the tool is usually made of stone, ceramic, wood, or metal.
The inside of the mortar is typically rough or textured to help grind and crush ingredients.
A pestle is a blunt, club-shaped tool used to grind ingredients. The word “pestle” comes from the Latin word pistillum, which means “pounder.”
WHERE PESTO ORIGINATES
The recipe for classic basil pesto can be traced to the Italian city of Genoa, the capital of Liguria which is famed for its world class basil production.
The people of Genoa honour their ingredients and recipe with a passion that can sometimes border an obsession. They insist that pesto is a living, breathing thing; an alchemy that can exist in the temperature climate of its birthplace. They’ll even tell you, without a hint of irony, that pesto is the second thing a Genovese baby will taste after its mother’s milk.
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