For ten months out of the year, I usually complain about not having enough basil.  Then, about this time, I realize that there is basil everywhere.

Out to the csa there is so much basil, we are reminded to pick, pick, pick!

While there are plenty of techniques to dry or freeze basil, I often love having homemade pesto around.  So, what better thing to do with too much basil then make pesto and freeze it?

I saw this idea a couple years back but never really had enough basil to make a large quantity of pesto.  Ready for the instructions?

1.  Make your favorite pesto recipe.

2. Place in ice cube trays and freeze.

3.  Pop out the cubes and place in a container or plastic bag.  Remove pesto cubes as needed!

Now I can make a delicious pesto pizza in October without having to buy a whole bunch of basil.

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  • Jerry

    Super Site!
    I see you have purple basil in your pic for pesto making. I tried making pesto with our overgrown purple basil but it didn’t turn out very well. Just did the usual oil/pine nuts/parm, but it just had no taste. What’s your secret? Do you find you have to vary your pesto recipe depending on the basil?
    Thanks.

    • erin

      I have only made purple pesto once and I used it on an eggplant pizza- I didn’t really notice a difference but is was covered with ingredients. I mixed the two this time and I really liked the flavor.

  • Shelley

    That is such an awesome idea! I have an abundance of basil in my garden and have been trying to figure out what to do with it. Problem solved!

  • http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/ Michelle

    Great idea, and I love pesto on pizza too!

  • http://www.handletheheat.com Tessa

    I was thinking about making up some pesto and freezing it just this morning! I love the ice cube tray trick… unfortunately the last time I tried it I forgot about the tray and left it in the freezer for an embarrassingly long time and my sauce pretty much became one with the tray.

  • http://birdfood-sharona.blogspot.com Sharona May

    Basil is one of my favorite parts of summer. I have made pesto several times and have a bunch of it in my freezer for later on this year.
    I also bought some purple basil a few weeks ago and the lady told me to make purple basil lemonaide.

    Sharona May