Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse the halibut steaks under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season steaks with the salt and pepper.

 

Combine cashews with the flour in a food processor; process until the mixture has the consistency of cornmeal. Place the flour mixture in a shallow bowl and pour the buttermilk into another shallow bowl. Dip the halibut steaks into the buttermilk, drain off the excess, and dip into the flour mixture to coat evenly.

 

Place the coated steaks on a foil-lined baking tray and bake until the crust turns golden brown and the fish is cooked throughout, about 15-20 minutes.