sell g'machts organic tomato basil pesto. Pesto rosso from the Allgäu region with 18 percent dried tomatoes and fresh basil – spicy and savory, cold-stirred, vegan.

sell g'machts organic tomato basil pesto is a red pesto made from organic olive oil, 18 percent salted dried tomatoes, 8 percent basil, sunflower seeds, and white wine vinegar, seasoned with pepper and beetroot powder. Katja Will and her team stir it by hand in Weiler in the Allgäu region using a cold process; 110 g per jar. No cheese, no nuts, no garlic – a vegan pesto rosso in raw food quality.

Organic Tomato Basil Pesto by sell g'machts is the pesto rosso from this Allgäu-based producer, as they call it themselves. A red pesto relies on dried tomatoes, which concentrate their sweetness and flavor during the drying process. In Weiler, they are cold-stirred with olive oil, sunflower seeds, and white wine vinegar and combined with fresh basil from local organic market gardens. Beetroot powder enhances the color. The producer describes it as savory and piquant. The slightly sweet tomato meets the spicy fragrance of the basil, and according to the producer, it is a hit with both young and old alike.

Sweet and savory notes from the tomato, fresh notes from the basil, mild finish

Upon opening, it smells of dried tomatoes and basil. On the palate, the tomato comes through first with its concentrated, slightly sweet intensity and the salt used for drying. The basil provides a fresh, green contrast. The sunflower seeds give the pesto its creaminess, and the white wine vinegar adds a fine acidity. The color is a deep red.

Among the pestos from Weiler, this is the only red one and one of only two that are garlic-free. The organic nettle arugula pesto also contains dried tomatoes but remains green and tart. If you are looking for a robust herb pesto, try the Allgäu organic herb pesto with arugula and garlic. This jar is the mild, family-friendly variety with tomato.

For pasta, pizza, sauces, and vegetable medleys

Pasta first. Cook spaghetti, penne, or tagliatelle, stir in two tablespoons of pesto per serving, add a splash of pasta water, but only once the pot is off the heat. The producer calls the pesto the ideal companion for pasta, pizza, and more. On pizza dough, it replaces tomato sauce; on focaccia, a thin spread adds tomato and basil flavor.

The producer also suggests using it to refine sauces and vegetable medleys. A spoonful in tomato sauce or a pan with zucchini and bell peppers adds concentrated tomato and herbs. It works as a spread on ciabatta with mozzarella or as a spoonful in scrambled eggs. Once opened, the jar belongs in the refrigerator and, according to the producer, should be consumed within 14 days.

Our tip: Mix one tablespoon of pesto with two tablespoons of cream cheese and spread the cream into a sandwich with mozzarella and arugula. This is the variety that will be eaten without discussion in any lunchbox.

Tomatoes and basil from three farms, cold-stirred in Weiler

Basil and tomatoes are among the crops grown throughout the year by the three partner farms of sell g'machts: the Wetzel vegetable farm in Muthen near Wangen, the Bayrhof farm near Kempten, and the Hechelfurt farm estate near Meckenbeuren. Production takes place in the sell g'machts kitchen in Weiler in the Allgäu region, by hand and without heat treatment, usually the day after harvest. "sell g'macht" means "homemade" in the Allgäu dialect, and that is how Katja Will’s team operates.

The extra virgin organic olive oil and white wine vinegar come from Byodo, and the sunflower seeds from Rapunzel in Legau, Allgäu. The producer avoids all additives and preservatives; the flavor comes solely from the ingredients. The organic control number DE-ÖKO-006 is on the label. Since December 2022, there has been a factory shop right next to the kitchen where you can sample all the varieties.

For families, pizza nights, and everyone who likes red pesto

The organic tomato basil pesto is the jar for families where everyone needs to be satisfied. It is perfect for pizza night, lunchboxes, and bread with mozzarella. You can find all the producer's jars on our sell-g'machts page, and other pestos from different producers in the Pesto category. According to the producer, the list of ingredients contains no cheese, nuts, or other mandatory allergens; the seeds used are sunflower seeds, and the pesto is vegan. It is not suitable for those looking for a spicy or garlic-heavy pesto – it remains mild, savory, and tomato-forward.

Dried tomatoes and fresh basil from the Allgäu region, cold-stirred and vegan – the red pesto for pasta, pizza, and the family kitchen.