Puzzled About Pesto?

To me, Pesto is like the Italians' answer to ketchup. It's delicious it's perfect for everything from dipping to spreading to using as a base to saute and liven up the most boring of vegetables. A traditional Italian pesto, Pesto Genovese, is made with basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and parmesan cheese. But what about Roasted Red Pepper Pistachio Pesto? Avocado Arugula Pesto? And Spinach Walnut Pesto? Those are all pestos, too, right!? 

I cannot remember for the life of me who I had this conversation with recently, but someone asked me what pesto is? I was completely stumped and felt like an Italian failure because I really didn't know what to say! I was thinking in my head "well, I guess it's just a bunch of good stuff mushed up together to make a toe die for sauce". Ummmm...okay, Nina. Clearly, I am as puzzled over Pesto and as luck would have it, I came across this editorial question from The Charlotte Observer. This is the perfect explanation and thought I would share.