Hi Kara, you can leave them out! Other readers have also mentioned subbing lightly toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds, but we aren’t sure if they soften as well. Hope that helps!

Lovely! Thanks so much for sharing! xo

I subbed little pieces of dates for raisins since I didn’t have them and they’re just as naturally sweet and a great addition to this dish. And I subbed sunflower seeds for pine nuts since I didn’t have them handy and toasted them. I didn’t add capers because they’re too salty for my taste but everything else was the same as written except for basil, which I didn’t have on hand.

I paired it with spiralized zucchini as my “pasta”. The next time I make it, I might try it with mashed golden potatoes for the color.