Can I give my 8 month old pesto?

[lallymc]

My 8 month old is a really good eater and i'm keen to give him pesto to try. There are no nut allergies in our family so can't see why not? what about peanut butter too?

[Graciescotland]

I gave my DS pesto at eight months and he loved it. Big flavour, no salt, perfect IMO. I used to mash spuds and broccoli with pesto and olive oil (plus sweetcorn/ salmon a little later) or if your doing fingerfoods fresh ravioli with a coat of pesto and cream cheese encouraged ds to suck through till he got to the filling.

Peanut butter he found more difficult, I think it was the texture. It's fine to try though as there's no history of nut allergies etc

[hellymelly]

pesto is usually very salty,even if home-made,as the cheese used is high in salt,but other than that it should be fine.Pine-nuts are not nuts anyway I don't think,they are seeds.

[lallymc]

Thanks both!

[gastrognome]

Yes just watch out for the salt as mentioned. Home made is good if you have the time/inclination. Plum also do little pouches of baby pesto which is lower in salt, I believe. Or use the jarred kind but dilute it with a bit more olive oil.

[LakeFlyPie]

I use a very small amount (1/2 -1 tsp) to flavour cream cheese before stirring through pasta.
I loosen the sauce with some water from the pasta cooking and usually throw in a handful of frozen peas or some broccoli.

You can freeze ice cube sized portions if you open a jar or make a large amount of pesto.

Cheesy, peasy, pesto pasta (and it's associated variations) has always been an all time quick dinner favourite of DS.

[acsec]

I am allergic to pine - trees bring me out in a rash and the nuts make my tongue and mouth swell and itch. Allergy started when I was very young as we always had real Xmas trees.