Pine Nut - Description
Did you know that cedar nut is the generic name of the edible seeds of several representatives of the genus Pine - cedar pines? The name "nuts" is already firmly established for these plants, but in practice they are not.
Siberian pine (Siberian cedar) is common in the Urals, in Siberia, and also grows in the highlands of northern China and Mongolia. Pinia (Italian pine) is distributed on the Mediterranean coast and extends from the Iberian Peninsula to Asia Minor. It is also found in the Caucasus and the Crimean peninsula. Korean cedar (Korean pine) grows in eastern Asia: in Japan, Korea, northeastern China and the far east of Russia (Primorsky and Khabarovsk Krai). European cedar (cedar pine) is found in the south of France, in the High Tatras, the Carpathians, and the eastern regions of the Alps. Elfin cedar is common in most parts of Siberia and reaches 70 ° north latitude.
The seeds of pine nuts are successfully used in cooking and are consumed raw and fried. They also produce valuable cedar oil, and the residues from processing are used to make various dishes and confectionery.
Pine nut - useful properties
Nuts - just a storehouse of healthy ingredients. They have nutritional and healing properties due to the qualitative composition of fats, proteins and trace elements that make up their composition. Fat pine nuts contains a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic. Pine nut seeds satisfy the daily requirement of an adult organism for amino acids and essential trace elements such as copper, zinc, cobalt, manganese. They are easily absorbed by the body and their benefits are very high. Pine nut proteins contain the amino acid arginine, which is useful for the development of a growing organism, indispensable for children, teenagers and pregnant women.
Wild animals, both predators and herbivores, are also happy to eat nuts, especially during the growth period. This is an excellent remedy for B-avitaminosis. When pressing the oil by pressing, the cedar cake is obtained. It is an excellent dietary product, contributing to the normalization of metabolism and maintaining health. It gives a unique flavor to desserts and other pastries. Pine nuts are contraindicated in case of individual intolerance, with obesity in large quantities.
Calories of pine nuts
Caloric value of 100 grams of pine nut is: 575 kcal.
Pine nut - use in cooking
In our country, pine nuts are more used for medicinal purposes, but only recently they have become widely used in cooking. This is a very tasty treat, and if you fry them a little in a pan, the taste and aroma will become even brighter and more expressive. When heated nuts release oil. They are ingredients in meat, fish, vegetable dishes and salads. One of the most famous dishes with pine nuts is Italian pesto sauce. For its preparation in Italy they use pinioli - the seeds of pine pine, relatives of Siberian cedar. They have a more delicate flavor and have a different texture.
Recipe Examples with Pine Nut
Recipe 1: Biscuits with Pine Nuts
Easy and quick recipe for a delicious cookie with nuts. If you want to pamper yourself and your loved ones, a great start to the day - breakfast with fresh crispy biscuits and a cup of tea, coffee or milk.
Ingredients: butter (100 g), flour (250 g), brown sugar (white can be used - 50 g), egg, baking powder (1/2 bag), sugar (100 g), pine nuts (100 g), a pinch of salt.
Method of preparation
Beat soft butter, sugar and salt. In the process of beating add egg, and then pine nuts and flour with baking powder. Knead the dough. Cover the baking sheet with baking paper, grease with oil and form small balls, spreading them at a distance of 3-4 cm. You can give relief using a fork, then send it to the oven, preheated to 180 °. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove and cool. Done! Delicious biscuits with crisp and taste of pine nuts.
Recipe 2: “Freshness” Salad with Pine Nut
Delicious salad, suitable for any holiday table and just for every day. Very light and healthy, contains many vitamins and low in calories. Ideal for weight watchers.
Ingredients: cabbage (we take white varieties, 250 g), avocado (1 fruit), colored paprika (1 piece), pine nuts (100 g), fresh cucumber (2 pieces), lemon juice (3 tablespoons.), salt to taste, olive oil (5 tablespoons), ready-made iceberg lettuce (200 g), Peking cabbage (250 g), greens. Method of preparation
Cabbage, iceberg lettuce and sweet pepper cut into straws. Grind the greens. Slice the avocado, sprinkle with lemon juice so as not to darken. Cut the cucumber into strips. Fry the pine nuts until golden brown in a dry skillet. All mix, season with olive oil, salt. Done! Enjoy your meal.
Recipe 3: Risotto with Carrots and Pine Nuts from Orzo
Despite the name, the dish is very ordinary and simple. It is only necessary to stock up on orzo - pasta in the form of rice, the rest of the ingredients will certainly be in your home. Cooking and enjoying a great tasty and healthy dish - risotto.
Ingredients: Orzo (200 g), olive oil (2 tbsp. L.), Vegetable broth or water (1.75 stacks), large carrots (1 pc.), Garlic (1 tooth), green onions (a few feathers), pine nuts (handful), salt, pepper.
Method of preparation
We rub carrots on a large grater. Heat the olive oil, fry in it until golden brown garlic, add carrots, stir for about 5 minutes. Pour dry orzo, stew for 2 minutes. Pour in broth or water, cook until the liquid evaporates, stirring constantly. Add pepper, salt. Done!
Pine nut - useful tips from experienced chefs
In some cases, the nutritional value of nuts is equal to meat. Salad with nuts may well replace the salad with meat. This is especially useful for dieters. Mix lettuce leaves (chopped), chopped sweet peppers, chopped red onions and grated cheese. Add a dressing of sunflower oil, vinegar, salt and sugar and sprinkle with pine nuts. Excellent light fortified salad is ready!
