Pine Nut

The small, ivory colored seed found inside the pine cone of several varieties of pine trees. There are two main types: 1) the Mediterranean or Italian pine nut, which has a sweet, delicate flavor and; 2) the Chinese pine nut, which has a pungent pine flavor that can become overpowering. Pine Nuts are used as a texture and flavor ingredient for sweet and savory dishes, as a garnish for topping foods, and as a thickener made from pureed Pine Nuts. The nuts can be roasted and eaten out of hand or added to soups, sauces and sweet desserts. Since they are high in oil content, the nuts can become rancid quickly. Store Pine Nuts in a refrigerated, airtight container for up to one month or in the freezer for up to seven months. Make sure the air is pressed out of the bag when storing. When selecting, choose those that are the freshiest available.