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Sea-Lettuce Pesto

April 05, 2021

Israel’s next big business might be seaweed.

Moshe Rivosh is the CEO of a company called Seakura, which wants to change the way Israelis eat. A member of Kibbutz Lohamei HaGeta’ot, Rivosh was one of the founders nearly 30 years ago of Tivall, which today claims to be the world leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing ready-made vegetarian food products. Now Rivosh wants Israelis, vegetarian or not, to add seaweed to their diet—and not just wrapped around sushi rolls. He wants them to start cooking with it, using it in salads, and consuming it on a regular basis, like spinach or lettuce.

Featured in: An Israeli Company Bets That Seaweed Isn’t Just for Sushi Anymore

Ingredients

  • 70grams (2 1/2 ounces) sea lettuce (half of a 140 gram package)
  • 1clove garlic
  • 25grams (roughly 1 ounce) pine nuts
  • 100ml (1/2 cup) extra-virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • 60grams (2 ounces) freshly grated Pecorino cheese

Preparation

  • Step 1

    Combine the sea-lettuce, garlic and pine nuts in a mortar and pestle and grind into a coarse paste.

  • Step 2

    Add half the oil and grind together.

  • Step 3

    Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Step 4

    Add the remaining oil.

  • Step 5

    Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.

  • NOTE: The pesto can be used with pasta as a salsa, dip, or accompaniment to fish and chicken.