You might be saying to yourself, I understand the green beans and basil, but what are pepitas?
Pepitas are the edible seed of a pumpkin or squash, used in cooking and often dried or toasted and eaten as a snack food. Most of the local stores that carry bulk spices, nuts and seeds will have pepitas.
I used to make this dish with pine nuts, but pepitas are more reasonable and I think tastier in this dish. However, if pepitas are hard to find, pine nuts are a good alternative.
Green Beans with Pepitas and Basil is made by first boiling the beans until they are almost done and then frying them with the pepitas and basil. The resulting dish is amazing!
Green Beans with Pepitas and Basil
Print recipe| Serves | 6 |
Ingredients
- 2 Quarts (litres) fresh green beans
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup roasted unsalted pepitas (may substitute with pine nuts)
- 1 Large clove garlic (minced)
- salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped (snipped) basil
Directions
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Wash the beans and trim the ends.  | |
| Fill a medium sized pot with water. Bring the water to boil and add the beans. Cook covered for 5 minutes or until just crisp-tender. Drain; rinse well with cold water. Set aside. | |
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Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat on grill or stove top. Add the pepitas. Toast carefully, while stirring for 1 to 2 minutes or until light brown.  | |
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Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute more. Add the green beans and cook and stir 3 or 4 minutes more or just until heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss with basil. Serve warm.  | |