Sunflower Pesto~Great for Nut-Allergy

[Augustmomx2]

I have a severe nut-allergy. I also adore basil and I have never been able to enjoy pesto, due to the pine nuts But I found a recipe for sunflower pesto! I just made it from basil from my herb garden, sunflower seeds (organic & hulled), etc. Man, I have been missing out

Here is the recipe & link:

4 cups Fresh Basil Leaves
1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup Hulled Sunflower Seeds (roasted)
1 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Or Asiago Cheese
2 cloves Garlic, Crushed
1 teaspoon Salt, Or To Taste

Preparation Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain, reserving 2/3 cups of the hot water. Rinse pasta and set aside.

Place basil, sunflower seeds, olive oil, Parmesan, and garlic into your food processor fitted with the metal blade.

Process to a puree, scraping down sides as needed.

Place pasta and pesto mixture into a large bowl, add the 2/3 cups of reserved water and toss and mix everything together well.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/main-courses/sunflower-basil-pesto-pasta/

I used the dried cheese-stuffed mini-raviolis you can get at Trader Joe's...mmmmm

 

[big brown horse]

That sounds really really good!!

Are you allergic to walnuts or pecans too? I have used both in pesto before. I love pesto!!!

 

[ORChick]

Might want to try pumpkin seeds too. Advantage to both sunflower and pumpkin seeds over nuts is that they are both less expensive! Unless you happen to have nut trees of your own of course.
Pesto is one of those lovely things that you can change without too much harm. My DH doesn't eat cheese (poor, deluded man ), so I make pesto without cheese for him. You have successfully left out the nuts, and added something else. Others change the nuts as appropriate - instead of pinenuts, walnuts or pecans, or I am thinking about hazelnuts one of these days. And others replace the basil with cilantro, or parsley. They might not approve in Genoa, but if it tastes good, why not?

 

[Augustmomx2]

That sounds really really good!!

Are you allergic to walnuts or pecans too? I have used both in pesto before. I love pesto!!!

Yeah, I'm allergic to them all :/ The whole anaphylactic shock thing kicks in. Its been the only thing I feel as though I'm missing out on. Although everyone keeps raving about those reeses cups I'm eating more as I type

 

[Augustmomx2]

Might want to try pumpkin seeds too. Advantage to both sunflower and pumpkin seeds over nuts is that they are both less expensive! Unless you happen to have nut trees of your own of course.
Pesto is one of those lovely things that you can change without too much harm. My DH doesn't eat cheese (poor, deluded man ), so I make pesto without cheese for him. You have successfully left out the nuts, and added something else. Others change the nuts as appropriate - instead of pinenuts, walnuts or pecans, or I am thinking about hazelnuts one of these days. And others replace the basil with cilantro, or parsley. They might not approve in Genoa, but if it tastes good, why not?

Doesn't eat cheese I have read a few recipes that change out the basil for parsley and cilantro...I love them all and I can't wait to experiment!

 

[dragonlaurel]

Thank You- I'm going to have to try this ! I'm allergic to peanuts too. Trying to find a good source for sunflower seeds and pumpkins seeds.

 

[Augustmomx2]

Thank You- I'm going to have to try this ! I'm allergic to peanuts too. Trying to find a good source for sunflower seeds and pumpkins seeds.

I found mine at a Health Foods Store, in the refrigerated section. Good luck in your quest, its definitely worth it!

 

[Ldychef2k]

I have made pesto with cilantro, parsley and pepitas, or pumpkin seeds. I toasted them first, and it really kicked up the flavor.

I have also made pepita brittle and used it with fresh strawberries with whipped cream and a drizzle of balsalmic vinegar.

Aren't pine nuts really the seeds of a pine tree?

 

[me&thegals]

I've been wondering, too, if pine nuts are *really* the seeds in each section of a pine cone. My latest bag of pine nuts has a picture of a pine cone on the front, so I'm thinking this is so.

Wow--does that pepita brittle sound wonderful! I have a maple syrup brittle I make this time of year with pumpkin seeds, but not the hulled pepitas. Ldychef--maybe you could post your brittle recipe under gluten-free recipes?

me&thegals

 

[Ldychef2k]

Wish I could remember what I did ! It was a sugar syrup with corn syrup added and some pepitas...but that's as far as I can remember. Old age isn't for sissies.

ETA: Pumpkin seed brittle in maple syrup...I am going to spike my blood sugar just thinking about that. Sounds incredible.