A Ligurian red pesto, perfect for pastas, sandwiches and bruschette.
Classic red pesto - tomatoes and basil in a creamy nut base
Vegan – no cheese, so everyone can enjoy it
With extra virgin olive oil rather than cheap olive oil or seed oil
Made with Ligurian Basil grown free of chemicals or pesticides
An essential larder stand-by
A creamy and rich, nutty sauce, made with fresh tomatoes and plenty of fresh Liguria basil. We use minimal processing and high-quality ingredients to create a exceptional taste, combining the delicate aroma of the basil, cashew nuts for a lush, creamy texture and rich, sweet tomato. There’s no dairy in our pesto sauce, making it suitable for vegans.
The inspired producers, who have their own Ligurian basil fields rather than buying from others, have perfected a process using steam treatment of the soil before seeding the basil. This eliminates the need for herbicides or pesticides. Their studied production method results in a pesto sauce which is raw and unpasteurised, thus conserving the subtly delicious and refreshing basil aroma and flavour.
Seggiano pesto is made from an original Ligurian basil. Using modern organic farming methods, the earth is steam treated before seeding the basil. This eliminates any pests or weeds. Once the basil plants are mature, the tender top leaves are hand- picked and washed. Finely chopped, they are put in olive oil within a matter of hours to best preserve their fresh and intense powerful aromatic flavours.
Unpasteurised, this raw pesto pasta sauce maintains the pungent intensity of fresh basil.
This is how they do it:
"Thanks to its particular mild climate, abundant sunshine and sea breezes, the entire region of Liguria proves to be ideal for basil farming. The year starts in May with the land being fertilised using natural fertiliser which is worked into the soil by machines.
The next stage is the mechanical disinfecting of the soil using steam. In special boilers, water is taken to the temperature at which ‘dry steam’ is produced. Via tubes laid on the soil and covered with special material, the land is steamed for approximately 3 hours which kills potential pests and blights, removing the necessity to use pesticides. In June the seed beds are prepared so that the soil is light and soft . The seeds are then sown in parallel rows at a width which will later permit the basil to be gathered by hand.
Daily watering is regulated by a computer. Spring water is used, which is an essential ingredient to ensure the best possible basil crop. The plants are protected from disease by the warm and breezy Ligurian climate. After 30 days, the basil is harvested carefully by hand. Only the tender top leaves of the plant are picked, those richest in the fragrant aroma and flavour which characterise our excellent pesto Genovese. The quality of basil depends very much on the region in which it is grown and we have found Genovese basil to be the finest available. Truly this is the king of herbs.
Once it is gathered, the basil is immediately taken to our nearby factory. First it is washed, using a whirlpool system of clean water which is constantly regulated taking into account the delicacy of the basil leaves. The washed and disinfected basil is then spun in a drying machine. At this stage, the flavour and appearance of the basil is still unchanged thanks to its delicate handling. The basil is then finely chopped in special mincers. Salt and oil is added, together with an additional layer of oil on the surface which guarantees natural conservation. It is then stored in refrigerated cells at a constant temperature of 2° centigrade, before mixing with other ingredients to make pesto.
Seggiano is the name of the small hilltop village on Monte Amiata in southern Tuscany, where Peri Eagleton and David Harrison have farmed organic olives since 1985. Twenty years ago they started selling their local Olivastra Seggianese extra virgin olive oil and a selection of wonderful artisan foods from small family food producers. Their brand is SEGGIANO, named in honour of the village where the story started. Grown with an uncompromising commitment to ethical ingredients and food production, healthy delicious eating and a love of simple, genuine Italian food. With over 20 years in the business, SEGGIANO is still the choice of Real Food lovers. Hand Picked It is our mission to bring you the most delicious, genuine and naturally produced speciality foods from all over Italy. Handmade When we say handmade, we mean handmade. Our artisan food is freshly prepared in small batches using current harvest ingredients. Real Food It not only tastes fantastic but SEGGIANO foods are gmo-free and made without artifice or the use of preservatives and industrial processing. From Italy Our familiarity with Italian rural culture and our passion for excellent food enables partnership with the best artisan food producers of Italy.
Podcast
Click here to play the podcast interview with David Harrison, co-founder of Seggiano, and learn about the farmers and artisanal producers he works with in Italy, to create their outstanding range of organic pestos, artichokes, honeys, olives and more.
How To Use
Once opened, refrigerate and use within one month, keeping the surface covered with a layer of extra virgin olive oil. Store away from heat and light.
