make pesto with pecans?
Posted by owalkerjillo on Jun 07, 2007 · Member since Oct 2006 · 428 posts
Just a quick question, I have a ton of basil to use up from the garden and I really want to make some pesto out of it but I have no walnuts, would pecans take their place do you all think? if not anyone have any good ideas to use up a good amount of basil?
Do it! It's delightful. I substitute all sorts of nuts for my pesto. Pecans are my favorite, so far (followed closely by cashews!). It will be a tad sweet.
awesome, thank you :) i didn't want to waste a bunch of delicious fresh basil!
I make mine with pine nuts, but I'm sure pecans would work. I never tried it before, though.
You can do a lot with basil, not just pesto! I put whole leaves in a layer when I make my Dressed Up Eggplant, or lasagne, or eggplant pomodoro, or things like that. You can chop it and add it to salads, soups, whatever.
I'm not downing pesto, you understand, but there are a zillion ways to use basil.
I use toasted almonds. ;)
I've made pesto with all kinds of nuts and they've all been equally delicious. With the pecans you might want to toast them first--this really brings out the nut flavor. Also, and maybe you know this already, you can freeze your pesto afterwards. I sometimes (in times of basil plenty) will fill an ice cube tray to make little pesto cubes and then bag them up to use for later. This seems to be about the right amount for a couple servings of pasta or to add to hummus. Have fun!