So I make my own pesto pizza here. I have a hard time finding pine nuts at any type of a reasonable price here in Osaka Japan. I’ve been using sesame as a substitute, however its a unique character that I like, but it’s not for everybody. What are some other substitutes for pine nuts people use?
by Craft_Beer_Imazato
26 Comments
I use lightly toasted walnuts.
You can use any nut, but I usually opt for skinless, almonds work well, walnuts are nice, macadamia with a bit of oregano and more acid is great.
It looks good !
Deez nuts!
Have used walnuts and hazelnuts to make pesto. I would also think peanuts or cashews would give the desired texture and a fairly neutral flavour
Cashews work pretty well
Good brazil nuts!
Almonds would work. They are also the nut specifically used in Sicilian Pesto (pesto alla trapanese), so it’s not like you’d be far off the mark to begin with.
Maybe try adding the pesto after the cook. It looks way greener and more appetizing and pesto is not meant to be cooked through
For God’s sake stick to a red sauce. No nutz needed!
Sunflower seeds work great.
Almonds
A family member just got back from Palermo, Sicily. They use pistachios there.
Pistachio pesto is great
Pistachio
It is legal to send prepackaged nuts to Japan from the us I know. If you would like a bulk box, I think that would be the best route. I didn’t look up the price comparison though,+ shipping.
I would be more than willing to send for you if you don’t want to use a substitute. Pesto holds a long time.
Edit: shipping
Sunflower seeds are a pretty good replacement
Curious, what do other locals think about the pesto? Using sesame sounds yummy but different. Now I’m thinking how would toasted soy bean taste?
That is a beast of a pie!
Also in Italy is not easy to find good quality pine nuts. You can try with lightly toasted almonds, a lot of people use them as substitute
I’m surprised you’re finding pine nuts hard to source in Japan; many of the pine nuts sold in Europe are sourced from China!
I hope no Genovese finds this post. They’ll lose their minds.
More parmesan, less nuts. I grew up with a family member with severe nut allergies so I’m just used to a different flavor and texture. Love the idea of sesame…but my kid’s allergic to that!
Pistachios? I just got back from Italy and there’s lots of pistachio pesto there
I use raw pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds
Toasted walnuts are nice. My family had a small manufacturing company and we would do pesto with Toasted sunflower seeds and/or pumpkin seeds. I’ve noticed when using other forms of seeds or different nuts we would also add some arugula would help to mellow or add kick.