Good and Good for You: Pecans

 

Being a North Carolinian, I am lucky to have easy access to fresh pecans.  There is nothing better as a sweet and crunchy snack and I do find any excuse to toss them into a recipe.

Did you know that pecans are really good for you?  Of all the nuts, they have the highest level of antioxidant nutrients which makes them a good partner in the fight against aging and disease.

PECANS

A common misconception is that eating nuts adds to weight gain, but actually the fatty acids they contain are the good ones.  Eating pecans may help curb those cravings for sugar goodies. A handful of pecans is on the Phase One approved foods list for people doing South Beach!

• They are rich in omega-6 fatty acids.
• Their high level of oleic acid can help keep your skin healthy and clear.
• They contain a good level of high quality protein.
• They are an excellent source of vitamin B6.

Pecans are considered an "All American" food because about 90% of the world's pecans come from the U.S.

They were widely consumed and traded by Native Americans because they provided 3-5 times more calories per unit compared to wild game, and they required no preparation because they could be eaten raw.

Pecan trees, which are a species of hickory, can grow and produce nuts for up to 300 years.  Wild pecans tend to be smaller and have a larger shell-to-kernel ratio. They are native to the Southwest (NM, TX, and LA) but found their way across the Southeast and up the coast to Virginia.

Because the tree genus is native to North America, Europeans weren't introduced to pecans until the 16th Century when Spanish explorers brought them back from their travels to the New World.

Pecans are harvested by skaking the tall trees they grow in and collecting them while fighting off squirrels once they are on the ground.

Unshelled pecans will keep up to a few months stored in a cool place.  Shelled pecans will keep up to a few weeks stored in an airtight container in the fridge and much longer than that if kept in the freezer which is where I squirrel mine away.

Pecans' slightly buttery flavor makes them great for sweet or savory dishes.  Toss them in a salad, add them to some stuffing, or bake them into a pie, you really can't go wrong with pecans!*

*Unless you are allergic to tree nuts in which case I am sorry you are missing out and apologize for flaunting their fabulousness in front of you.