When I reviewed Sabra hummus a while back, I said it was the best brand of hummus I’d had. It still holds that title and in my opinion is the tastiest you can buy. Maybe it’s an Americanized version, I don’t know. All I know is it’s delicious. Despite my love for the brand and the product, I usually only get the Supremely Spicy flavor. I know there are other great ones, but that’s the one that calls to me. However, when I see a new flavor I can’t pass it up, especially if it has anything to do with Pesto, Italy’s magic sauce.
Apparently, although the recipe has been around in various forms since ancient Roman times, Pesto wasn’t popular in America until the ’80s and ’90s. Thank God I was born in the late ’80s. If you’ve never had the pleasure of tasting Pesto, it’s a very Italian taste. It usually consists of garlic, pine nuts, basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and olive oil ground up into a pasty sauce consistency. It’s the perfect addition to pasta or an incredible dip for hot bread. And now it comes in hummus! What more could you ask for?
Sabra’s Basil & Pesto hummus is one of the best I’ve had. Hummus is deliciously creamy on its own, but with the Pesto mixed in (I don’t know why they call it Basil & Pesto, since Basil is in Pesto) the flavor really takes off in a different direction. It’s just the right strength, too, leaving you with a perfect combination of the savory chickpea hummus flavor and the mouthwatering, rich Pesto flavor. They also throw in some whole pine nuts for texture. Paired with some Rosemary and Olive Oil flatbread, this is an unbelievable snack.
I could see how the flavor could be overwhelming for some people, since both the hummus and the Pesto are sort of in the same flavor category, being savory and slightly salty, but overall I think they nailed the blend. To me this tastes like something Carmella Soprano would make. Tony would, of course, eat the leftovers the next morning in his robe. Who wouldn’t? If you’re a fan of Italian seasonings and flavors, this is definitely something you should try. Just keep an eye out for the red lid.