I was taken off guard by how good this salad is. It’s so simple, yet the perfect brightness to add dynamic character to any plate.

Carrot tops; one of the most under-appreciated greens in the garden. Let’s change that! This recipe showcases their herbal, earthy, subtly carrot-ish flavor. Try using this sauce as a top on grilled meat hot off the barbecue or a platter of roasted vegetables.

While carrots can be roasted or poached, sauteed or boiled, cooked rather in any which way, grilled has always been one of my favorites. Maybe because it is so unexpected while utterly delicious. Try serving this salad with grilled shrimp and spicy Thai dressing, or add to a nice bed of mixed greens topped with thick slices of steak and blue cheese. It is completely versatile.

I had a really difficult time deciding whether to call this recipe Carrot Top Pesto, or Carrot Top Salsa Verde. As you can see, the salsa verde won, but it was a close tie. This is my fusion of pesto and salsa verde with carrots tops in center stage. Think of this sauce slathered on grilled meats, kebabs, or roasted vegetables….