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Almost all pines have edible seeds. But the size and quality of those seeds depend on the species of pine tree. Most are too small to harvest.
Bountiful pinyon nut harvests only happen every 2-7 years.
Here is explained why they cost so much: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pine-...acts_n_4921114
Fresh green beans with pine nuts, red snapper with pine nuts, broccoli rabe with parm and pine nuts, orecchiette pasta with corn, fresh basil, and pine nuts. A Mediterranian take on walnut cheese ball appetizer, made with feta and pine nuts.
We had a huge pine tree that produced lots of cones with many nuts, so I tried harvesting them. Heat the cones in the oven so they open, get out the nuts, then hand crack each one...pine nuts are CHEAP in the store!
Are there different varieties of pine nuts coming from different species of pines? If so, are they labeled that way when you buy them and do they taste different? I don't think they have pinon pines in Italy so I'm curious. Pinon pines are native the the SW of the U.S.
Even though Europe has its own indigenous pines that produce edible pine nuts, the majority of pine nuts consumed in Europe, and the US for that matter, are supplied by China* from one of their indigenous pine species, unless one has been in a locality where they are locally collected.
In my experience there is not much significant difference in flavor between the pine nuts I have had in New Mexico, which are locally collected, and the global market variety supplied by China. I have never knowingly had the European/Mediterranean variety.
*The Chinese producers source nuts from Mongolia, North Korea, Pakistan and Russia. Spain and Italy are also important producers, but they are among the biggest importers as well due to inability for the local resource to meet demand.
Pre pandemic, our local Sprouts had pine nuts in bulk so I could just get the small amount I needed for a dish. Now everything is pre-packaged.
I love toasting them and adding them to salads, hummus or vegetables.
EXACTLY the reason my question came up. I used to get them in bulk at Sprouts for about $20/lb. Now I have to buy a larger bag at Trader Joe's. But at least they are fresh at TJ's.
Fresh green beans with pine nuts, red snapper with pine nuts, broccoli rabe with parm and pine nuts, orecchiette pasta with corn, fresh basil, and pine nuts. A Mediterranian take on walnut cheese ball appetizer, made with feta and pine nuts.
Good ideas! Leads me to think that they would make a good replacement in any recipe that includes shivered or sliced almonds.
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