Don't take the pistachio out of Sicilian pesto
'I saw a recipe recently for 'pistachio pesto' – nobody wants that,' writes Emma Brockes (Everyone has gone nuts for pistachios. But they're just an upmarket green peanut, aren't they?, 26 February). Pistachio pesto is actually a delicious traditional Sicilian recipe. It should be properly made with pistachios from the town of Bronte, which are of the highest quality. The cultivation of pistachios was probably introduced to the area by Arabs in the Middle Ages; locally the pistachio is known as frastuca, a name derived from Arabic.Margherita MussiRome, Italy
We in the Green party campaigns committee have taken up Umberto Eco's baton (Letters, 25 February) and produced a set of 'how to spot a fascist' beermats. On the other side are suggestions for what to do about fascism when you spot it. They've proved very popular. Maybe the Guardian could consider beermats in the future, to replace wallcharts.Charles HarrisLondon
Tell you what, I'll stop eating kebabs if the government stops building runways (UK urged to act now on net zero – and skip two kebabs' worth of meat a week, 26 February).Nick RogersBaldock, Hertfordshire
When did it become appropriate for a visitor to the Oval Office in the White House to keep their hat on, as Elon Musk did? Another example of declining standards?Hugh CraigEdinburgh
In the late 70s, one of my history teachers described me as laconic (Letters, 26 February). Being a man of few words, my da had to look it up. Polly LlwyndedwenAberhonddu, Powys
'It is impossible to assess Alison's work as she has not done any.'Ali CrusoeGoudhurst, Kent
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