I’ve been into Common Ground’s spinach-basil pesto all summer. The Urbana grocery makes pesto from scratch with organic spinach and basil with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Instead of pine nuts, Common Ground uses walnuts, and I don’t know if the walnuts are what makes it so good or if it’s the good amount of sea salt, but it’s delicious. And it makes the easiest dinner. Plop that pesto over boiled noodles and add farmers market tomatoes and fresh Parmesan for pesto pasta without the messy pesto-making.
I should mention that this pesto is vegan. I know, I know, cheese is life, but let me say it’s actually great. I love the emphasis on summery basil and fresh spinach, and my vegan friend can eat it, too. Find it in the prepped food section to the near the bananas.
Common Ground Food Co-op
300 S Broadway Ave
Urbana
7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily
