pepper pesto?

February 28, 2008 5:56 PM

Made some pesto with chili pepper leaves by mistake. Now what?

I picked some chili pepper leaves by mistake, thinking it was a variety of basil. Made pesto with the leaves, along with some real basil leaves. Ate some. Stomach feeling a little upset, but am otherwise fine. Plus, the upset part just might be psychological. I know the leaves of nightshade family are supposed to be poisonous, but this ,this , and this say that leaves are eatable, especially those from a young plant. Should I throw the rest of the pesto out? Should I save it?

posted by jujube to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

Sounds like it might be good to use as a rub on a steak or other hunk of beef. If you like that sort of thing.
posted by odi.et.amo at 6:20 PM on February 28, 2008

Best answer: Watch out for solanine poisoning.

You might want to give your local poison center a call, just for peace of mind. if you're in the US, go here.
posted by mds35 at 6:59 PM on February 28, 2008

Also, your third link does not mention any chili peppers. The pepper described on that page is an altogether different plant, species, etc.
posted by mds35 at 7:25 PM on February 28, 2008

Best answer: Yeah, seconding the poison control center. They usually have a good database of what is and isn't safe. I wouldn't continue eating it even if it were "safe"; even if it won't "kill" you it might have some negative effects.
posted by Deathalicious at 7:28 PM on February 28, 2008

Toss it.
posted by onhazier at 1:30 AM on February 29, 2008

Throw it away.
posted by WyoWhy at 6:51 AM on February 29, 2008