Healthy Food Database
Pine nuts are the seeds from the cones of some varieties of pine tree. They are small, pale cream in colour with a delicate 'pine' taste.
Pine nuts have been used in Italian cooking for over 2,000 years. It is reputed that around the Mediterranean and in the East pine nuts were used for their aphrodisiac properties.
Be that as it may, the high regard for these little nuts in the Mediterranean cuisine is evident when you examine the history. In ancient Roman times they were made into wine, preserved in honey, used in sausages and other recipes and later, huge forests were planted as a direct response to Papal decrees.
However, other varieties of pine nuts have also been grown and eaten in various parts of the world. In the South Western parts of the United states, it is thought that the kernels of the North American Pinon tree were eaten as a staple food some 10,000 years ago and species are also to be found in Korea, China, Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan where it has been a traditional food of nomadic tribes.
Category: Seed
In Season:
all year
To Buy:
Pine nuts can go rancid easily. Ensure you buy them from a place with a high turnover of product. Look for uniformity in colour. Buy small quantities often rather than large packs to store.
To Store:
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months. Pine nuts can also be frozen in plastic bags.
Tips & Tricks:
Pine nuts have a high content of polyunsaturated fat and can therfore burn easily. If dry roasting the nuts use a heavy-based pan.
Cooking Tips:
Pine nuts are delicious in salads, pestos, ground and mixed with herbs to make a crust or stuffing for fish and chicken. They may be high in fat but it's a good fat and you won't need many to enrich the flavour of your dish.
Nutrition per 1 Tablespoon:
Monosaturated Fat , g:
3.3
Amines:
No information available
Benefits the Following Health Conditions:*
* This information is sourced by a qualified naturopath. It is non prescriptive and not intended as a cure for the condition. Recommended intake is not provided. It is no substitute for the advice and treatment of a professional practitioner.
Disclaimer:
The Food Coach provides all content as is, without warranty. The Food Coach is not responsible for errors or omissions, or consequences of improper preparation, user allergies, or any other consequence of food preparation or consumption.