Pine nuts come from pinyon pine trees. These pines are native to the United States, although other pines with edible pine nuts are native to Europe and Asia, like the European stone pine and the Asian Korean pine. Pine nuts are the smallest and the fanciest of all nuts. Pine nuts (also called pignoli) are the edible seeds of pine trees. Seeds are the inner, usually edible part of a hard, inedible nut casing. Pine nuts are one of the more expensive nuts on the market because of the time required to grow the nuts and the effort to harvest the seeds from their protective encasement.
Pine nuts are rich in magnesium, iron, antioxidants, zinc, and protein, which can help with diabetes management, heart health, and brain health. Pine nuts can increase your energy levels due to their protein, iron, and magnesium. The antioxidant power of vitamin E contained in them may help keep your skin healthy and young in appearance. Additionally, regularly eating pine nuts or other seeds and nuts may help reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Other nutrients in pine nuts include Phosphorus to name. Pine nuts are actually seeds. The issue, therefore, of whether pine nuts should be avoided in patients who are allergic to nuts and seeds can only be decided by clinical judgment. However, in most instances, it is advised for patients who are allergic to nuts to avoid all nuts, including pine “nuts”.
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Pine nuts grow in forests in their native countries of China, Russia, North Korea and Pakistan, not on farms. “Extracting the nuts is incredibly labour-intensive and this drives prices up” have been some of the common comments heard about this nut, a market intelligence company focused on food and agricultural products. What do pine nuts symbolize? In addition to spiritual consciousness and enlightenment, pinecones have also historically been used as symbols of everlasting or eternal life.
Here are a few health benefits of PINE NUTS:
1. It is regarded as a great source of vegan protein and is a heart-healthy ingredient.
2. It is considered to be good for the health of our eyes and bones.
3. Pine nuts are good for weight management and they also help in suppressing the appetite.
4. It is also believed that pine nuts boost our energy and also support healthy skin.
5. Pine nuts are also regarded as helping us in weight loss and help fight free radicals.
6. Consuming pine nuts also help boost metabolism and is rich in iron content which helps blood circulation.
Here are a few popular and interesting culinary uses of pine nuts:
1. I have always tried using pine nuts in a number of ways when it comes to enjoying it at its very best with the crunch attached. Pine nuts go well into shakes, and smoothies, and even add it to a raita.
2. Pine nuts can be used to make dips, dressings, garnishes for salads, cold dishes, sprinkling on salads etc.
3. A popular basil chutney called pesto, uses a good quantity of pine nuts which can go well as a dip, sauce, coating, etc. Adding a little mint, coriander leaves with a dash of lime, garlic and seasonings.
4. It is fun using pine nuts adding it to snacky bites, stuffing as well as into aloo tikki concepts, cutlets, assorted veg canapes, etc.
5. Adding pine nuts to layers of lasagne, breaking them a little and using them in stuffing or fillings for ravioli with a variety of cheese and bell peppers, and a dash of spice and herbs is a good way to use its benefits.
6. Pine nuts go well into desserts as well, combine them with a little gajar ka halwa or crumbled mava pedha and add a dash of chocolate sauce or brownie crumbs into it and roll them up into dessert cigars and enjoy it. Besides it can be used for sweets like phirni, seviyan kheer and more.
7. Another common way of using pine nuts is to have them go into fillings for sandwiches or stuffing for a samosa/ kachori, etc. A paneer and pine nut ka paratha laced with pure ghee and spring greens remains a hot favourite of many.
Here are a few of my favourite recipes using Pine nuts in cooking:
Recipe-1] GREEN ACRE SALAD
Recipe-2] HIDDEN TREASURE HUNT SALAD
Recipe-3] HERBED SPINACH AND PINE NUT COMBO
Recipe- 4] INDO WESTERN VEGGIE NUT STEW
Recipe- 5] CHICKEN PASTA PINE NUT DUO
Recipe- 6] SCRUMPTIOUS PEA AND PINE NUT DIP
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