Presto Pesto!

My neighbor across the street has turned her yard into a vegetable garden of sorts, growing beans, tomatoes, squashes, gourds, and, among other herbs, basil. She is most excellent at growing basil, and yesterday, graced me with a grocery bag full of the stuff.

So I pulled the leaves off, measured 12 cups and set aside the rest which I'll dry in the oven, except a few bits I'm keeping for some tomatoes. I added a cup and a half of olive oil, a cup of pine nuts, a cup of blended parmeggian, peccario, and romano, 6 large cloves of garlic, and three pinches of salt (tripling my recipe). Yum! Of course, what does one do with this much pesto? I'll definitely pack some back to my neighbor, and send some off with my sister. I'll take some to the people hosting us for tomorrow afternoon. But really - I do have 6 cups (and a serving is 1/4 cup - that's 24 servings I have!). Maybe it freezes?

Related question (associated with the grating of cheeses) - is something still vegetarian if it contains human blood? As I continue to slice and dice myself, this question is coming closer and closer to being a real consideration. Sigh. I grated my knuckle on my left ring finger, along with the cheese. Owie!