Pistachios for Cashews

[veganman]

As raw cashews are so hard to get, would pistachios be a good substitute? It seems like a similar food and thought it might give a similar result.

[berrymarymac]

Raw pistachios are AMAZING!! I find that they have a hmm...different texture, almost chewy, than cashews.

[shelah]

i also LOVE raw pistachios!
they are a little soft so maybe they'd sub well -- let us know if you try it.
remember, the recipe will have a light green tint, so keep that in mind if you were thinking of using them for a frosting or cream-like recipe -- not that there's anything wrong with a pretty pastel green! :D
also, you do not have to soak pistachios.
many blessings,
shelah

[veganman]

Hi Shelah - why don't you have to soak pistachios? I read in a book by Edward Howell that all nuts need to be soaked. Where did you hear/read something contrary to that?

I would LOVE not to have to soak everything!

[shelah]

hey veganman,
i just re-checked my source about pistachios -- g. cousens' rainbow green book -- and saw that he was referring to IN-SHELL pistachios not requiring soaking, so i guess shelled ones might need to be. i'll try to get a definite answer soon.
as for other nuts, i think rp posted once that the nuts that come with very hard shells -- macadamias, brazils, walnuts -- have less enzyme inhibitors and so do not require soaking.
g. cousens definitely says you do not need to soak brazils, macs and pine nuts!
hope this helps.
many blessings,
shelah