FOOD NEWS
The Best Pine Nut Replacement When You're Having A Pesto Emergency
By Dena J. DiOrio
If you are in a pesto emergency and need to substitute something for pine nuts in a pinch, cashews are the best alternative for a classic Italian pesto.
Pine nuts are teardrop-shaped and beige-colored. They are the edible seed of pine cones famous for their subtly sweet, slightly nutty, buttery taste and creamy texture.
Although you can use other nuts, cashews are the most obvious choice because they're slightly nutty and creamy. When thoroughly chopped, they can pass for pine nuts if necessary.
A more authentic substitute for pine nuts in pesto may be walnuts, which were introduced to the Ligurian region 1,000 years ago and used in Ligurian walnut sauce, salsa di noci.
You can experiment with other nuts to add an exciting spin to the classic. For example, pistachios introduce a slightly different flavor and a vibrant green color.