Pecans are a nut tree native to North America, with a rich, buttery flavor used in both sweet and savory dishes. They have a high fat content and should be stored carefully. Pecans have a long history in Southern cuisine and can be used in a variety of recipes.
Pecans are the product of the nut tree, also known as Carya illinoinensis. The trees are native to central and southern North America and were used as a food source by Native Americans for centuries before European settlers arrived. The plants weren’t actually domesticated until the 17th century, when the first pecan plantations were established in Mexico. Nuts have a distinctive rich, buttery flavor that often appears in Southern desserts like praline pecan pie. Pecans are also used in a variety of savory foods.
Trees can live and produce nuts for hundreds of years if they are in a favorable climate and are well cared for. Many venerable pecan orchards produce nuts continuously over several generations of cultivation. The trees are deciduous, dropping their leaves in winter to conserve energy and kick-start growth in spring. Pecans belong to the Juglandaceae family along with walnuts, and the leaves of the two trees look very similar, appearing in simple compound rows on the branch.
Pecans appear in the fall. The shells are oblong in shape, producing ovoid nuts with a very high fat content. The high fat content of pecans makes them rancid very easily, so care must be taken in handling pecans to ensure they remain edible. After harvesting, pecans can be left whole in their shells or de-shelled using a vacuum pressure unit. The nuts are packaged for sale, ground into pecan butter or pressed to make pecan oil.
When selecting whole pecans in the shell, look for shells with no signs of cracks or holes. When shaken, the nuts shouldn’t rattle, as this suggests they are dried. Shelled pecans should look plump, with no signs of wilting or wrinkles. Nuts should be stored in a cool, dry place until used, or frozen if consumers are unsure of when they will use them.
In savory dishes, pecans can provide a burst of rich, buttery flavor. Some cooks like to caramelize pecans and sprinkle them on salads or pastas, especially in combination with rich cheeses like blue cheese and blue cheese. The pecan also has a long history as a dessert nut and appears in candies, pies and cakes. Many Southern cooks are happy to share pecan recipes with people who ask for them.
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