Giant beans with grape leaf pesto


'Gigantes' are giant Greek white beans - like a large version of cannellini beans. They're creamy and balance well with this salty take on pesto.

Ingredients

Grape leaf pesto
  • 12 brined grape leaves, drained, blanched and trimmed
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • ⅔ cup pine nuts or blanched almonds, toasted
  • ⅔ cup extra virgin Greek olive oil or more as needed
  • salt and pepper, to taste
Giant beans
  • 6 cups cooked Greek giant beans (gigantes), about 2 cups raw
  • 2 cups baby rocket (arugula), trimmed
  • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 4 spring onions (scallions), trimmed and finely chopped
  • 1 lemon, zest grated