Pecans Please!

May 1, 2024

Oh my golly, we had such a hilarious conversation at the dinner table last week. All I said was that I love pecans. Well, a lot of rousing discussion ensued, we all had to express our opinion of how to say “pecan.”

Do you say PEE-can or pick-AHN? Or even pih-CAN or pee-CAN? Its like TO-mato or to-MAA-to, PO-ta-to or po-TAH-to. It’s all a little nutty! Whichever way you pronounce pecan, you can rely on these nuts to add a delicious buttery flavor to snacks, desserts, salads and even fish dishes.

The only major tree nut that grows naturally in North America, pecans got their name from the Native American Algonquin tribes to describe “all nuts requiring a stone to crack.” These trees do well in warm, humid environments and can live for over 200 years. Albany Georgia, known as the pecan capital of the world, has over 600,000 pecan trees. Albany, like many other southern locations, hosts an annual pecan festival with activities and contests like parades, cooking contests and even the crowning of the National Pecan Queen. Check out this link to find a pecan festival near you.

Once we got past the discussion of pronunciation, we took a survey of what dish(s) came to mind that include pecans. Both my mom and brother immediately said “PIE!” This was no surprise to me as it is a favorite of them both. My mom makes a tasty pie! I said “salad” because I love to add pecans to my salad. My daughter likes them raw as a snack. All the ideas sounded so yummy! The conversation made me resolve to add more recipes including pecans to our weekly DinnerTime Plan.

Not only do they add a wonderful touch to many recipes, but they are considered a “super food” by nutritionists. In fact, pecans are designated heart-healthy when consumed as part of a healthy eating pattern by the American Heart Association’s Heart Check Certification Program. The AHA and many other health organizations encourage consuming 1 ounce (15 halves) of pecans as a way to add 10% of the daily requirement of fiber plus healthy fats and protein. At 196 calories per serving, pecans are loaded with 19 vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, Vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Pecans can aid in diabetic management, and even weight loss by improving satiety.

Quick Tips for Cooking and Caring for Pecans

Freshness

Store unshelled pecans in an airtight container 9-12 months. Shelled nuts can last for 6 months They are best if kept in the refrigerator to ensure the natural oils of the nut do not go bad.
Freeze pecans for up to 2 years.
Test your pecans for softness, off-smell or bitter taste. Soft pecans and/or a bad smell or taste can indicate your nuts have become rancid.

Roasting

Enhance the rich flavor and crunch of the pecan by roasting.
Spread pecans on a rimmed baking pan. Place in 350° oven and roast for 6-8 minutes. Toss halfway through.
Keep a container of roasted pecans ready to add to salads, top off ice-cream or as a quick snack.

Crushed Pecans

Crush pecans in a food processor. Work in batches with one cup of nuts at a time. Don’t over-process or you’ll end up with pecan-butter.
Using a blender will also crush and grind the pecans well.
Place pecans in a bowl and use a handheld pastry cutter/blender to softly press down, reducing the nuts to smaller pieces. Pecans are a softer nut so this is an easy method.
Put nuts in a ziplock bag, making sure they are flat and not overlapping. Place bag between layers of a dishtowel and then use a meat cleaver to pound the nuts or a rolling pin to roll over the bag.

Additions

Toss a few pecans in your favorite smoothie for added satiety.
Substitute all-purpose flour with ground pecan flour at a 1-1 ratio for a gluten free option. Nut flours won’t produce baked goods with as much structure, chew, or bounce but baked goods such as muffins will be softer and more tender.