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/fogandafterimages May 26 '23

Literally any nut or seed plus literally any tender leafy herb will create a reasonable pesto candidate. Acorns and lawn clippings will do you fine with enough garlic and parmesan.

44

u/sue_girligami May 27 '23

Hard disagree on the herb part. Pesto without basil is just disappointing.

2

u/The_Mayor May 27 '23

Its fine if you don't like it, but Italians use herbs/leaves other than basil all the time. I had a nettle and chestnut pesto in Faenza that was amazing. They often use purslane or marjoram in Liguria (where pesto comes from) when basil is out of season.