It’s such a simple thing, but this little topping can take a pasta meal from plain to fabulous. It adds a little crunch thanks to the nuts and depth of taste thanks to the nutritional yeast and, if using, olives. You can also use it on casseroles, salads, or anywhere you want, really. No need for cheese! This vegan parm tops it all.
I have stashed a jar of Vegan Parm Nuts in my in-laws’ refrigerator. My mother-in-law often makes vegan pasta for the whole family but the omnivores add their parmesan cheese on top. Now I have my own source of umami.
Just like all the recipes I share, it is meant to be customized to your own taste and to what you find in your pantry. If you are lucky enough to have local nut producers, support them!
Vegan parm nuts
Makes a great topping for pasta and casseroles. Walnuts are a great source of super-healthy fat. Powdered garlic helps keep this tasty for longer. If you are confident you’ll eat it all within a week, use fresh instead. This recipe yields about 2 one-cup canning jars. You can keep one in the fridge to be consumed within a month and the other one in the freezer (crumbled nuts can go rancid faster than whole).
Ingredients
- 1 cup assorted nuts walnuts, cashews and pine nuts are great in this recipe
- 1 tsp garlic powder or use 2-3 fresh cloves if to be eaten within a few days
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast or to taste
- 3-5 green olives (chopped) optional
Instructions
- Pulse a few times in a blender or food processor until a crumbly texture is achieved.
- Do not over-process or it will rapidly turn to powder.
- You can enjoy raw or roast in the oven on medium-low temperature (275F) for about 20 minutes, stirring at the halfway point.
- Fill two small jars. Keep one in the fridge for up to a month and the other one in the freezer for later. (Crumbled nuts go rancid faster than whole.)
My daughter told me about what I now just call “Nut Parm” because I love to eat the vegan recipes but am not vegan. I used pecans, blanched almonds, brazil nuts, and way more nutritional yeast than recommended. Nothing else. Love this! Thank you!!
Making it again in a few minutes. When I am ready to serve it on my cauliflower-cheese soup, I will add fresh garlic and roast some only for tonight’s use. I am imagining it with chopped-up green olives! My husband does not eat them, so the olives will be for me alone.
That sounds delicious! Thanks Raina for dropping by.