Cheap pine nuts or alternative for pesto

[OllieMartin]

Pine nuts are so expensive. Does anyone know where you can get cheap ones, or what alternative you can use in pesto.
I saw them use sesame seeds on 'Ready, Steady, Cook' once, but don't fancy that idea.

[ginger ninger]

I use these guys there pretty competitive on price, there pine nuts are £3.15 for a 100g bag.

Goodness Direct - Online Health and Special Diet Food Store

[OllieMartin]

I use these guys there pretty competitive on price, there pine nuts are £3.15 for a 100g bag.

Goodness Direct - Online Health and Special Diet Food Store

Hmmm, I found them for £5.99 for 200g at Makro today (although not sure if that was without VAT). But that seems pretty expensive to me.
I believe there are other nuts you can use, but not sure what works well.

[Don Vincenzo]

Pine nuts are so expensive. Does anyone know where you can get cheap ones, or what alternative you can use in pesto.
I saw them use sesame seeds on 'Ready, Steady, Cook' once, but don't fancy that idea.

Try pistacchio or walnuts or any other nuts, the flavour wiil be there.
Regards
Don Vincenzo

[Jeanied]

I was going to suggest the same as Don Vincenzo - I guess the nuts are there to provide a bit of substance, protein and fat - the big flavours will come from garlic, the oil you use, if it is a gutsy one, the herbs (basil or rocket) and the parmesan.

[annacruachan]

I have made pesto using hazelnuts and also cheddar cheese instead of parmesan as the latter makes DH sick. It's wonderful, very 'meaty' - I just want to eat it by the spoonful!

[Flummery]

Walnuts are good. Even better if you can find a walnut tree!

[Rhona]

Walnuts make a fab pesto, you could even pad them (or indeed the pinenuts) out with sunflower seeds. Almonds can be nice too.

I tend to use other nuts in pesto anyway. I save pine nuts for an 'unconstructed' pesto; just toss hot pasta with parmesan, pine nuts, fresh pepper and shredded basil, having rubbed the bowl with warm garlic first. Great for a very quick meal.

[OllieMartin]

Walnuts are good. Even better if you can find a walnut tree!

I've found a walnut tree, but all the nut i get off it haven't formed properly. The shells are full of black crispy bits. Any ideas?

[Flummery]

The black bits are part of the husk Ollie. If the shells are dry, just crack them as usual.

[OllieMartin]

The black bits are part of the husk Ollie. If the shells are dry, just crack them as usual.

There's no nut what-so-ever inside though. I'm guessing they're just not fully developed yet.

[muckdiva]

Daughter is allergic to nuts, so I use pumpkin seeds. Lovely!

[Flummery]

There's no nut what-so-ever inside though. I'm guessing they're just not fully developed yet.

Never seen any like that Ollie.

[Rhona]

Never seen any like that Ollie.

I've seen them like that when I've bought from the supermarket. I always think it's when they've gawn over a bit... could be wrong though.

They go straight in the bin anyway!

[OllieMartin]

Never seen any like that Ollie.

I've seen them like that when I've bought from the supermarket. I always think it's when they've gawn over a bit... could be wrong though.

They go straight in the bin anyway!

Particularly disappointing because I love my free stuff, the tree is in the local hospital grounds and I go foraging whenever i pass the place. But have given up as I've not had a single successful one yet. I've only been collecting windfalls though, not picking them from the tree as it's too high up. Any ideas if that would make a difference?