Pesto without pine nuts is just as quick as a classic recipe. If you don't have pine seeds on hand, you've come to the right place!
Do you know the situation: You want to prepare a delicious recipe, but one very important ingredient is missing.
If you have a whole stool of fresh basil in front of you right now, but you've run out of pine nuts, rest easy now.
Because there is another way - fortunately there are always enough alternatives. So you can enjoy a fresh pesto even without pine nuts.
You can already cook the pasta and look forward to a delicious meal. Because you can prepare pesto without pine nuts so easily!
Why a pesto without pine nuts is worth it
Well, if you don't have any on hand and don't want to go shopping, then it's worth it for that reason alone. But a pine nut-free pesto has even more advantages.
When you forgo pine nuts, you discover new flavors.
The small kernels can be replaced with many delicious varieties of nuts. From almond, walnut, pistachio to hazelnut, everything is possible. But more about that in a moment.
Pine nuts are quite expensive.
At the supermarket around the corner I pay for 100 grams just under 8 euros. For as much basil as I have planted this year, but that will not last long. I need at least 500 grams of pine nuts - that would be about 40 euros. Crass, isn't it?
When basil is in peak season, the seeds are often sold out or very difficult to get. Especially when you need larger quantities. How good that they can be easily replaced.
Some people have an intolerance to pine nuts. If you prepare a pesto without pine nuts, they can also enjoy basil.
You can use up excess nuts with a quick pesto recipe. I have a lot of walnuts lying around, so they become pesto. But beware: nuts can go rancid. Their high fat content means they don't keep as long.
Make sure they are still edible before you start preparing them. You can recognize rancid nuts by their strong smell and peculiar taste.
What you can replace pine nuts in pesto with
The pine nuts are out? What now? Give up on the pesto? No, don't worry. With these nuts you can replace pine nuts 1:1.
- Walnut
- Cashew
- Almond
- Hazelnut
- Pistachios
- Macadamia nuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sesame
As with the pine nuts, you toast the nuts/seeds in a pan Without oil on. Always keep an eye on them, they burn very quickly. It is best to stir with a wooden spoon throughout.
If after 1-2 minutes a wonderful aroma spreads, then the nuts and seeds are ready to be turned into pesto.
But of course, the seeds and nuts have their own flavor, which can not be denied. Therefore, a pesto without pine nuts always tastes a little different. Walnuts provide a slightly bitter taste. Almonds and macadamia make the pesto sweet. Sesame seeds have a very intense flavor of their own and should be combined with other nuts to be on the safe side. Unless you love sesame seeds above all, then you will really like the pesto with it.
If you don't want any nuts or seeds in the pesto at all, then you can add more Parmesan to the recipe. So instead of 50 grams, just double the amount. Only then will you ensure that the pesto is creamy.
I've done a lot of experimenting with pestos and have created some very tasty recipes. Have a look here:
- Vegan spinach pesto with walnuts
- Chard pesto with pumpkin seeds and garlic
- Vegan arugula pesto with yeast flakes
- My favorite: Beet pesto with pistachios
- Asparagus pesto with walnuts
What you need for the pesto besides nuts
A high-quality oil - most often it is olive oil. But sunflower oil also tastes delicious in pesto. If you like more flavor, take walnut oil.
Garlic must also not be missing from most recipes. I always add a clove to the pesto, except for wild garlic pesto - it tastes like garlic without the bulb.
At the very end, season with salt and pepper. And if you like, you can add a little lemon juice.
If you want to make your pesto vegan, use yeast flakes instead of Parmesan.
Refined ideas for pesto
Once you've eaten homemade pesto, you won't like the pesto from the supermarket. Homemade it is much more intense, spicy and aromatic. A dream in green.
Want to spice up your pesto, try this:
Pesto alla Calabrese: Omit the Parmesan. Instead, use more nuts or pine nuts and season with sun-dried tomatoes, black olives and capers.
Pesto with eggplant: Halve the amount of basil. Instead, reach for a small eggplant. (about 100 grams). Cut the eggplant lengthwise through the middle and put it in salted water. After an hour, pat it dry and put it in the oven at 180° for 20 minutes until it is cooked. Remove the peel and puree all the ingredients.
Our conclusion
Preparing a pesto without pine nuts is anything but complicated. You simply replace the pine nuts 1:1 with other nuts or seeds. Put them in the food processor and you're done!
Enjoy it!
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