I'm a little Nuts about Nuts
I really couldn't tell you which ones are my favorite, I don't think I could pick just one, from pecans to almonds, I love 'em all! And there is nothing yummier than a handful of nuts for a quick snack.
Nuts are seeds that are covered with a hard shell. Most are the seeds of trees, but the seeds of a few other plants that are not strictly nuts will also be considered here as they can be conveniently classified with nuts for culinary purposes.
Nuts can be used in many ways. Whole, flaked and ground nuts and nut butters are widely available. Nuts can be added to sweet dishes, cakes and biscuits, and nut butters can be added to soups and stews to thicken them.
Nuts, including both tree nuts and peanuts, are among the most common food allergens.
What's on Here
Interest Facts about Nuts
- A daily dose of a handful of nuts brings about immense health benefits, eating 25-50 grams nuts a day may reduce the risk or diabetes and heart disease
- It is a common myth that consuming nuts will cause weight gain, the key is to eat them in moderation
- Coconuts, on the other hand are not considered nuts according to the International Nut Council (they do not have equal amounts of fats and on the nutritional scale, coconuts differ greatly from those of 'real' nuts)
- Ok, neither are peanuts or almonds, but did include those below LOL
- Bitter almonds contain prussic acid (also known as hydrogen cyanide, fortunately the almonds we eat are considered "sweet"
- You will never see cashews sold in the shell, the nut is surrounded by a double shell that contains a caustic phenolic resin, urushiol, a potent skin irritant and toxin also found in poison ivy
- "Pecan" is apparently from the native North American Algonquin word meaning "a tough nut to crack"
- Pine-nuts, for Ancient Greeks and Romans, were believed to be an aphrodisiac
- Walnuts are understood to have first been cultivated more than 4000 years ago, however fossilised shells have been found in South West France dating back 8000 years
Almonds
The "little black dress" of nuts, almonds dress up any dish with simple style and great taste.Technically a fruit, almonds are kin to stone fruits such as peaches.
And talk about versatile, almonds have an image that's both healthful and indulgent, with a rich, subtle flavor that makes them suitable with both savory and sweet foods. Their high perceived value among dinners ups that ante of even the simplest dish. Small wonder, then, that almonds make a welcome appearance at every part of a meal, from soup to, well, you know.
Toasting almonds intensifies their flavor and crunch. Because their high fat content makes them perishable, almonds are often sold in vacuum-packed containers. When buying unshelled nuts in bulk, choose those that are heavy for their size. Shelled nuts can be refrigerated for up to six months. Whole almonds keep best--about twice as long as shelled.
Brazil Nuts
Not one of my favorites, Brazil nuts, formerly known as cream nuts and Para nuts, are the large extremely hard-shelled seeds of the Brazil nut tree. The Brazil tree is a beautiful giant evergreen indigenous to the Amazon forests of South America.Its round fruits with a dark brown colour, can weigh more than one and half kilos and resemble large coconuts with a woody shell.
Brazil nuts are marketed in inshell and today, the very nutritious Brazil nuts are eaten raw, roasted, salted in ice cream and in bakery confections. They remain an important ingredient in shelled nut mixtures. Their high concentration of selenium make these one of the health nuts of choice.
Cashews
The "king" of all nuts, cashews are one of the most delicious treenuts. It can add test to virtually anything; ice creams, sweets, chocolates, dishes. But people enjoy the most when they eat plain, roasted cashewCashews are graded according to their size and colour; white/scorched wholes, pieces, splits, butts etc., depending on the shape, size & colour of the kernel.
India was the first country to realize its commercial potential and nourish it into widely traded commodity and are the largest producer of the cashews in the world.
Did you know that the cashew tree is a curious plant with multiple uses, yet we are only familiar with one of its fruits, the cashew nut. The cashew tree also produces an edible, pear-shaped fruit called the cashew apple.
Hazelnuts (Filberts)
Filbert, also known as the hazelnut and cob nut, is a member of the hazel family (Corylaceae). And is another nut that isn't high up on my favorite list :-).The genus name Crylus comes from the Greek word korys meaning helmet or hood which refers to the shape for the husk which covers the nut. There are two species of filberts indigenous to North America. The American filbert which is primarily located in the East and the beaked filbert located in the Pacific Northwest. Both are small, hardy, shrubby trees or bushes.
Macadamia
Macadamias, the world's finest nuts, are characterised by their crisp texture, delicate flavour, versatility of use and long shelf life. In other words, they are Yummy!Macadamia nuts represent one of the "newest" nut crops cultivated in the world. The Macadamia nut was first domesticated in 1858 in Australia. It is the only native Australian plant ever developed as a commercial food crop.
Hawaii was not introduced to the macadamia nut until 1882, by William Herbert Purvis. But, Hawaii is now the largest producer in the world of macadamia nuts. In the continental United States, California is the only state that has been successful in growing macadamia on a scale approaching commercial.
Today, the macadamia is considered a gourmet delicacy, ranking with pine nuts as one of the most delicious and expensive nuts.
Did you know that perhaps the most unique use reported for macadamia nuts in in the treatment of sexual phobias.
Mixed Nuts
The best of all worlds, mixed nuts are a snack food consisting of any mixture of combined nuts. Peanuts (actually a legume), almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, filberts, hazelnuts, and pecans are common constituents of mixed nuts. Mixed nuts may be salted, roasted, cooked, or blanched.Because they are relatively inexpensive, peanuts are typically a major ingredient in mixed nuts, although they are viewed as less fancy than other nuts; often "deluxe mixed nuts" are advertised as containing no peanuts.
Peanuts
Did you know that peanuts aren't even nuts? They are legumes and a member of the pea family!Peanuts actually grow underground, as opposed to nuts like walnuts, almonds, etc. that grow on trees (and are sometimes referred to as "tree nuts").
There are mainly three types of peanuts grown in the United States- Virginias, Runners and Spanish peanuts. Virginias are often called cocktail nuts and are considered large-kerneled. Medium-sized kernels are called Runners and small-sized kernels are called Spanish peanuts. A fourth type, Valencia peanuts, are grown less frequently in the US and are characterized by three or four small kernels in a long shell.
Pecans
The first thing I think about when I hear pecans is pecan pie!Pecans are most popular in desserts such as pies, cookies, and candies, but also make an interesting addition to salads, stuffings, chicken or fish coating, and other savory main or side dishes. They are also delicious whole, toasted and spiced, or covered with chocolate.
The history of pecans can be traced back to the 16th century. The only major tree nut that grows naturally in North America, the pecan is considered one of the most valuable North American nut species.
Texas adopted the pecan tree as its state tree in 1919. Albany, Georgia, which boasts more than 600,000 pecan trees, is the pecan capital of the U.S.
Pine Nuts
The pine nut, also called Indian nut, piñon, pignoli and pignolia this high-fat nut comes from several varieties of pine trees. The nuts are actually inside the pine cone, which generally must be heated to facilitate their removal. This labor-intensive process is what makes these nuts so expensive. Pine nuts grow in China, Italy, Mexico, North Africa and the southwestern United States.Probably the most popular use is in pesto or as a crunchy salad topper, but they are also good in desserts
Pistachio
The pistachio is the seed fruit of Pistacia vera, originating in Persia. Also known as the green almond, the pistachio is related to the cashew. One of the most popular uses of pistachios is pistachio ice cream, a creation credited to James W. Parkinson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1940.Choose nuts that are split open at one end. Unopened shells are an indicator of immaturity. The greener the nutmeat, the better the flavor. Pistachios are available year-round in many forms including raw, roasted, salted, unsalted, shelled and unshelled. For cooking purposes, it is best to choose pistachios that have not been dyed.
The thin, edible papers can be easily removed from the nutmeats by blanching. Shelled pistachios are blanched by covering them with boiling water and letting them stand for two minutes. Drain and cool slightly before slipping the skins off.
Pistachios enhance many dishes other than desserts, including seafood, poultry and salads. Read on for a huge collection of recipes using pistachio nuts, and I'm not talking about those using imitation-flavored puddings!
Walnuts
There are about fifteen different varieties of the walnut family. They are indigenous to East Asia, southeastern Europe and North and South America. All walnuts are edible but the English walnut is known as the most delicious and certainly the most important.Many legends and superstitions have been associated with the walnut. The Greeks and Romans regarded it as a symbol of fecundity. It was customary at Roman weddings for the bridegroom to toss handfuls of walnuts much as we now throw rice, to be scrambled for by young boys. By flinging the nuts away, the bridegroom showed he was mature and had finally laid aside childish amusement. In China, where the cricket has traditionally been considered a creature of good omen, musically-trained, singing crickets were carried about in intricately carved walnut shells.
Nuts and Nutrition
The nutrients in nuts promote overall health in a variety of different ways. Research has shown that nut eaters can actually help lower their cholesterol by substituting nuts for foods higher in saturated fat as part of a low fat, low cholesterol diet. With their unique combination of fats, carbohydrates and proteins, along with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, nuts can fit perfectly into a healthy diet that is calorie balanced for weight maintenance.
Storage of Nuts
- Any nuts or seeds that are to be kept for longer than a month should be stored in the freezer.
- Freeze chopped, ground, whole, roasted or spiced nuts in the shell or in an unopened can.
- Nuts that are salted or spiced have a freezer storage life of 6 months.
- Plain nuts have a freezer storage life of about 12 months.
- Seeds can also be frozen for up to 6 months.
- Toasting and roasting reduce freezer storage life, so delay doing that until the nuts and seeds come out of the freezer; unless you intend to freeze them for only a few months.
- Unless freezer space is limited, it's best to freeze nuts in their shells, then crack them as needed.
- Use nuts and seeds directly from the freezer, without thawing first.
Nut Resources
- Nut and Peanut Allergy
- Peanuts are one of the most common allergy-causing foods, and they often find their way into things you wouldn't imagine. Learn the facts on living with a nut or peanut allergy.
- NutHealth.org
- The International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF), a non profit organization, represents nine tree nuts: almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts.
- Health and Wellness - NutNutrition.com
- Health and Wellness information at NutNutrition.com. Your sole destination for health & wellness information about nuts, plus recipes and articles that will educate you about nuts in your diet.
- Almonds Are In
- Welcome to the almond industry's largest online resource.
- About Nuts
- Nuts, the Natural Snack
- National Peanut Board - Official Web Site
- There's almost no limit to the culinary possibilities of peanuts and peanut ingredients.
- National Pecan Shellers Association
- NPSA is the trade association for the pecan shelling and processing industry, dedicated to educating culinary and health professionals, food technologists and the general public about the nutritional benefits, variety of uses and all-around great taste of pecans.
My Nuts Recipe Lens
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Recipes with Nuts
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My collection of nut recipes to go with my I'm a little Nuts about Nuts lens! My foodie lenses were getting way too long with continually adding recipes, so I decided to move my recipes to their own lens. This should also help out those on dial up to...
My Other Foodie Lenses
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Lensography of my Foodie Lenses
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This lensography includes the foodie lenses that I have created on Squidoo. I started with my first one, I Love Avocados, which I am proud was honored with Lens of the Day, and then I just kind of took off. You will start to see a few more Foodie Le...
Foodie Feedback
CCB wrote...
We snack on nuts rather than chips and such. Its healthier.
Great lens
CCB
Posted December 28, 2008
JaguarJulie wrote...
Ah, welcome to the league of nutty lensmasters. ;) And, might I add, I've never met a nut that I didn't like! What is it about nuts -- it's a love affair. I like 'em for their nutritional value. Lately, I've been chopping up walnuts and using them to sprinkle on my grilled basa fish. Quite yummy. Kathy -- I wish you and your family the very best this holiday season and for a prosperous and happy new year.
Posted December 17, 2008
rms wrote...
This nutty lens is today's feature at www.cabaretsquidoo.com.
Love your url for this one! :)
Posted November 20, 2008
susannaduffy wrote...
Another superb lens from your mighty pen! My favourite is macadamia (jindilli where I come from)I eat them almost daily and wear a skin cream from their oil. Pine nuts are great too - although at the moment they are more expensive than gold. They make the best pesto since the garden of Eden. I'm so glad to have found this lens about all sorts of nuts and what else could it be except 5* ? Thanks so much for joining the Epicure food group
Posted September 27, 2008
grassosalvato86 wrote...
What a beautiful lens!! For me Almonds and Pistachio are the best!
Posted April 05, 2008
poddys wrote...
A wonderful lens Kathy, I'm nuts about nuts too.
There are some countries where they do eat the fruit of the Cashew. I had a chicken dish with this fruit in Rio De Janeiro once. I can't remember what it tasted like, it was definitely "different" and an acquired taste.
Keep up the good work with your wonderful lenses. - Tony
Posted January 31, 2008
docwoman wrote...
Hmmmmmm! Yummy! Now I'm dreaming about nuts and pistachio baklava, and chocolate macadamias, and peanut brittle, and cashew clusters, and .... :)
Posted October 15, 2007
RebeccaB wrote...
Great info about nuts. Thanks for nutty ideas. 5 Stars. Veggie Recipes
Posted September 17, 2007
