Pecans

Credit:Old Shoe Woman

Did You Know?

"Pecan" comes from an Algonquian word, meaning a nut requiring a stone to crack.

A pecan tree can live and produce edible nuts for more than three hundred years!

Nutrition

Pecans are rich in vitamin E and B6, beta-carotenes, lutein, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium.

Shopping and Storage

Pecans are available in most markets year round. They are available in many varieties, such as shelled, unshelled, salted, sweetened, and more.

Unshelled pecans can be stored in a cool dry area for months, but shelled pecans should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Preparation

Pecans can be eaten plain or you can purchase the salted or sweetened versions. They are commonly used in desserts, such as pecan pie, but can be used in many other ways. They're great sprinkled over salads, ice creams, or soups, and can also be made into pecan nut-butter as an alternative to peanut butter.