Oh Boy, Pine Nuts!!

Sometimes it's the little things in life that give you pleasure.  Yesterday I went to the grocery store and one of the items on my list was pine nuts.  I don't know what they cost in other parts of the country, but out here they can run as high as $15 a pound!  Naturally that limits me to recipes that call for only a few tablespoons. It was just such a recipe that led me to the store, where I discovered the bulk item bins had been seriously downsized.  The bin for pine nuts no longer existed. Instead, critical items like gummy bears, chocolate malt balls, and yogurt covered pretzels were all that remained in my space challenged grocery store's bulk item section.  Just as I was facing the fact that I would have to drive to a bigger store or use another kind of nut, I suddenly saw plastic containers stacked on a rack. And there it was--nearly 3/4 lb. of pine nuts, for $1.13!  I stared at the container dumbfounded. Then I opened the lid and sniffed.  They didn't smell rancid. Should I taste one?  I didn't.  I wondered if they had been mislabeled, and since I know all the clerks at the store I wouldn't want to take advantage of a mistake.  (Yes, I actually thought that.)   Then I decided they were the remains from the discontinued pine nut bin, and the store just wanted them gone. For $1.13 I took the gamble that they weren't rancid. To my delight, they were perfectly fine when I ate some of them at home.  I've never had this many pine nuts at one time!  I feel rich.  Maybe I'll make biscotti.

Comments

[kristi]

mm... pine nuts. I would have snagged some yogurt covered pretzels too.

[Shannon]

Pine nuts are so incredible. What a steal!

[Ramya]

I never ate pine nuts but after reading your post feel like joining you in eating.Hope to share my experience in future.It seems that it has highest protein than in any other nut.

[steven]

If you're making pignoli biscotti I'm going to need directions to your house.

[sher]

kristi,

I have to admit--I love the malt balls.

Shannon,

I feel almost giddy. I've never been able to justify buying nearly a pound of pine nuts. A pound of Cowgirl Creamery Cheese, yes. Pine nuts, no. I know, where's the logic?

Ramya,

I hope you get to try them. They have a very distinctive taste and texture I think.

Steven,

The biscotti would be so nice. I'll let you know when I'm ready to bake them! :):)

[Ilva]

Pine nuts are the best! But I just can't believe that they cost that much! You must know someone who can send you some from some state where they are cheaper!!

[s'kat]

Girl, get yourself back to the store, and buy ALL of them! Pine nuts freeze just wonderfully.

[Jenn]

I agree with s'kat - I would have bought about 10 bucks worth and ate 'em with a spoon! When i first saw that pic, I thought - jeeeeze - that's so cheap for pine nuts! Hey Sher, make me some pesto please!

[Barbara (Biscuit Girl)]

S'kat is right. Pine nuts freeze wonderfully. I bought some a year ago and have been dipping into the freezer ever since to get some out for recipes. My favorite use for pine nuts is pesto. And with fresh basil at the Farmers market here each week, the pine nuts will soon be gone.

[Lum]

I need some good advice! I came into four pounds of pine nuts (oh boy!) and I bagged them in Ziplocs today. I was about to put them into the freezer but thought I'd better check around for information. One site says they must be frozen in Ziplocs with WATER to cover the nuts. Do you think this is necessary or beneficial? I appreciate your help!

[Beezhan]

I found myself making baklava at the request of a friend. What I didn't know at the outset of my preparations was that the kids had been into the pistachios! I did, however have a pound of pine nuts. I gave 'em a good sniff and thought... I bet that would be a nice compliment. I prepared the recipe as normal, but substituted 1/3 pine nuts, 1/3 pistachios, and 1/3 almonds (quantities depend upon size of batch, but normally it is 1/2 and 1/2 pistachios to almonds). AMAZING! I will always make it this way when I have pine nuts on hand!