Pine Nut Fast Facts
You might be surprised to learn that pine nuts aren’t a nut at all, but an edible seed from pine trees. Here are a few other tidbits that are worth knowing about this mighty little nut:
They are notably oily, so it’s important to store them in the refrigerator or freezer to extend their shelf life.The natural fats in the nuts means you don’t have to oil the pan when you toast them.Pine nuts are delicate and can easily burn when toasted, so keep a close eye when you’re at the stove. Pine nuts are sweet, similar to cashews. If they taste bitter, it’s likely they’re rancid and should be tossed.
Two Easy Ways to Toast Pine Nuts
You can choose your own adventure: Either toast them in a 350°F oven or in a skillet on the stove. The recipe below is for 1/2 cup of pine nuts, but you can scale the amount up or down depending on your need.
How to Use Toasted Pine Nuts
Once you have your nuts toasted, stash them in a jar and pull them out to scatter over hummus or avocado toast, atop yogurt or oatmeal, or in any of the following tasty recipes:
Summer Squash Salad Rice Pilaf with Pine Nuts and Mushrooms Sauteed Greens with Pine Nuts and Raisins Asparagus Pesto with Pasta Mushroom Caviar
If the pine nuts brown too quickly, pull the skillet off the heat or reduce the heat. Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!
