Pistachios
Known throughout the world as the “happy nut” or the “smiling nut,” the pistachio is a lovely green nut that humans have enjoyed for over 9,000 years. Though California is currently the world’s largest producer, pistachios originated in the Middle East. Middle Eastern varieties are incredibly high-quality and considered by many chefs to be superior to their Californian cousins.
Pistachios have a delightfully nutty flavor with a crunchy, slightly soft texture. The vibrant green nut is often sold in its shell, which splits naturally as the nut matures. Pistachios are very rich in oil, containing about 55% on average, so they’re often pressed into a flavorful, beautiful green oil. Pistachios are available year-round; you can find them shelled or unshelled, raw, roasted or salted. The shells are sometimes dyed red, but that practice has become less common over time. For cooking purposes, avoid pistachios that have been dyed.
Pistachios are an excellent source of fiber. In fact, one serving of pistachios contains 3 grams of fiber, more than three times the amount found in plums. Pistachios have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease when eaten in conjunction with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Pistachios are delicious as a snack as-is, but they also have a number of culinary uses. They’re commonly used to make ice cream, gelato or frozen yogurt, but you can substitute them into any recipe that calls for pecans, macadamia or any other nut. Mix them into salads or pasta for a healthy boost, or sprinkle them on top of roasted vegetables. You can even use pistachios in place of pine nuts to make pesto.
Source: www.pistachiohealth.com, www.wikipedia.org, www.crfg.org
Known throughout the world as the “happy nut” or the “smiling nut,” the pistachio is a lovely green nut that humans have enjoyed for over 9,000 years. Though California is currently the world’s largest producer, pistachios originated in the Middle East. Middle Eastern varieties are incredibly high-quality and considered by many chefs to be superior to their Californian cousins.
Pistachios have a delightfully nutty flavor with a crunchy, slightly soft texture. The vibrant green nut is often sold in its shell, which splits naturally as the nut matures. Pistachios a..
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