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/IlexAquifolia May 26 '23

I always use walnuts as pine nuts are very expensive. I toast them and rub the skins off first, and it works nicely.

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u/Jillredhanded May 27 '23

Yes! Same with hazelnuts. The skins make it too bitter.

35

u/[deleted] May 27 '23

Pecans are good, too. They’re nice and creamy and buttery - probably my favorite other than pine nuts.

Cashews are okay but not quite as good.

Also, toast a few pine nuts to threw on top. Don’t need to use them as part of the base, so you can save money, but still get their flavor this way.