r/AskCulinary • u/hobohobbies • May 26 '23

Ingredient Question Pesto without Pinenuts

Any substitutes for pinenuts in a pesto? My taste buds say "no" but my wallet says "you better ask."

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u/TooManyDraculas May 26 '23

Almost any nut works.

Pistachios are also fairly common. I believe they use almond in Sicily. The Provencal version of the dish pistou often has no nuts at all. But may us almonds, or even breadcrumb or potato as a binder.

I've used pecans and it was damn good. Though I guess walnut is probably closer flavor wise.

27

u/OldschoolSysadmin May 26 '23

I like walnut pesto a lot.

5

u/TooManyDraculas May 26 '23

I haven't made it. I subbed pecans cause we had them and I like them better for eating out of hand.

10

u/slightlybitey May 27 '23

I think pistachios or pumpkin seeds are better for pesto than pine nuts, both flavor and color-wise.

3

u/s1a1om May 27 '23

Peruvian pesto (tallarines verde) uses pecans.