Ölmühle Solling Cashew Pumpkin Seed Pesto. Savory and hearty organic pesto with Styrian pumpkin seeds, cashews, Parmesan, and a hint of apple.
Ölmühle Solling Cashew Pumpkin Seed Pesto is an organic pesto made from extra virgin olive oil, roasted pumpkin seed oil, Parmigiano Reggiano, pumpkin seeds, cashews, dried apples, and roasted onions. The Ölmühle Solling from Boffzen in the Weserbergland region packages it in 110 g jars, which the manufacturer states are free from artificial colors and preservatives.
Cashew Pumpkin Seed Pesto by Ölmühle Solling takes the Italian concept and fills it with different ingredients. The word pesto comes from the Italian "pestare," meaning to crush. It refers to an uncooked sauce made of crushed nuts, cheese, herbs, and oil. In the classic version from Genoa, this means basil, pine nuts, and hard cheese. Here, pumpkin seeds and cashews take on the role of the nuts. Instead of basil, roasted onions and dried apples set the tone, with a small amount of coffee added as well. The result does not taste like summer in Liguria, but rather hearty and autumnal. The depth is provided by the roasted pumpkin seed oil, which makes up one-fifth of the jar. Parmigiano Reggiano and pumpkin seeds each account for 16 percent of the ingredients list, while cashews and dried apples each make up 8 percent.
Taste
The manufacturer describes the pesto as savory and hearty. At first, you taste the roasted notes of pumpkin seed oil and roasted onions, followed by the salty Parmesan. The cashews make the texture creamy and rounded. The dried apple adds a subtle fruity sweetness that lightens the heartiness.
Garlic is included only as an extract and remains subtle. Anyone expecting a fresh, green basil pesto will be surprised by this jar. It is better suited to cool days and hearty dishes than a light summer salad.
Use
It is fastest with hot pasta: cook the noodles, drain them, keep a splash of the cooking water, and stir in the pesto. A little freshly shaved Parmesan on top, and you're done. One to two tablespoons are enough for one portion. According to the manufacturer, it is also great on baguette and sandwiches and with salads. For quick finger food, spread it on baguette slices, top with some mountain cheese, and brown briefly in the oven.
It pairs particularly well with German classics. The manufacturer recommends it for refining mashed potatoes and potato salad. Stir two spoonfuls into mashed potatoes served with a Sunday roast or into a lukewarm potato salad with lamb's lettuce. It is also good on a baked potato with quark. On a packed lunch, it replaces butter.
Our tip: Spread the pesto on a baking tray with pumpkin wedges before they go into the oven. The pumpkin seeds in the pesto and the pumpkin on the tray complement each other perfectly.
Origin
According to the manufacturer, the pumpkin seeds in this pesto come from Styria. This is the home of the oil pumpkin, and Ölmühle Solling lists Styrian pumpkin seeds as a separate raw material project in their factsheet. The roasted pumpkin seed oil in the pesto is, according to the manufacturer, pressed in-house. Pressing takes place in Boffzen on small spindle presses, and the seeds are roasted beforehand.
The mill lists pestos as a separate category alongside oils, vinegars, nuts, and flours. All ingredients come from organic farming, monitored by inspection body DE-ÖKO-039. Since its founding in 1996, the mill has also been a partner of the Naturland association. Today, Sarah and Sebastian Baensch manage the family business in the second generation, with the parents continuing to act as advisors.
For whom
This pesto is for you if you need something quick in the evening but still want something special on your plate. Together with a pack of good pasta, the jar also makes a nice gift for an invitation. It contains milk (Parmigiano Reggiano) and nuts (cashews, almond oil). Store the jar in a cool, dark place; once opened, keep it in the refrigerator. For something more Mediterranean, try the Cherry Tomato Pesto; for something nuttier, the Walnut Pesto. You can find all varieties on our Ölmühle Solling page. It is not suitable for a vegan diet, as Parmesan is an essential ingredient.
A hearty organic pesto made from pumpkin seeds, cashews, and Parmesan – for pasta, mashed potatoes, and quick dinners.
Image credit: Ölmühle Solling/Maike Wittreck
