Pine Nut from Kinnaur Himachal Pradesh
As the name goes Pine nuts are actually from the pine cones of the pine trees. They are the edible seeds contained within the pine cones.
The inner edible ivory part of the seeds are mildly nutty and can contribute to buttery texture. If we had to draw parallels they have creamy texture similar to cashews with nuttiness like peanuts/walnuts. To enhance the nutty flavour they are toasted to golden brown with lovely aroma and also bit of crunch.
Can be used in sweet or savory recipes that calls for nuts.
- popularly used in pesto and pignoli cookies
- crunchy topping to salads, smoothie bowls
- texture addition granolas, cookies, bread, cakes
- blend them in sauces, soups, dips like hummus for creamy texture - especially while being dairy free/vegan recipes
Tip : While toasting them, keep a close watch as they can go from perfect to burnt in just one second. Make sure to shake the pan often and remove from pan as soon as it gets golden brown and releases it's nutty aroma.
Storage : They can turn rancid if not stored correctly.
- Make sure you store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator : stays good for about 1-2 months
- To extend shelf life bit more store in a freezer bag
