How to Shell Pecans

How to shell pecans provides all the information and guidance you will need on how to go about shelling Pecan nuts. Although pecans in the shell have a long storage life, you'll need to manually remove the nuts before you enjoy them as a delicious addition to sweet and savory dishes.

• The next time you want a hearty snack or a crunchy addition to a salad, main dish or dessert, the buttery flavor of pecans may fit the bill. You can also enjoy pecans without feeling guilty. In addition to being a good source of vitamin E and fiber, they've also been shown to be rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.Mayo Clinic: Nuts and Your Heart: Eating Nuts for Heart Health If you've bought a batch of fresh, unshelled pecans, consider these tips to crack them easily so you won't have to wait to enjoy their rich goodness. This guide, how to shell pecans, discusses a variety of tools and techniques to remove pecan shells.

• Get the best shelling and cooking results with pecans that you've selected carefully and stored properly to maintain their freshness.

Use the following selection methods:

1. Choose smooth pecans with smooth shells that don't have any cracks or blemishes.About.com: Pecan Selection and Storage
2. Pecan shells should be light brown.North Carolina Pecan Growers: How to Choose and Handle NC Pecans
3. Fresh pecan shells may also look dusty and feature black marks.North Carolina Pecan Growers: How to Choose and Handle NC Pecans
4. When shaken, pecans shouldn't rattle in the shell.Epicurious: What to Cook Now: Pecans
5. Purchase Pecans which feel heavy for their sizehttp://homecooking.about.com/od/foodstorage/a/pecanstorage.htm
6. Choose plump pecans with a consistent size and color http://www.durdenpecan.com/pecan-storage-tips.htm

Courtesy of About.com the following are the size categories of Pecans, (measured in Pecan halves per pound):

1. Mammoth = 200-250 halves
2. Junior mammoth = 251-300 halves
3. Jumbo = 301-350 halves
4. Extra-large = 351-450 halves
5. Large = 451-550 halves
6. Medium = 551-650 halves
7. Topper = 651-750 halves
8. Small topper = 751 and up

For the best tasting Pecans you will need to ensure their freshness is maintained by proper storage methods.The following advice applies for Pecan storage:

1. While still in the shell, pecans can sit in a cool, dry area for up to 12 months.National Pecan Shellers Association: Tips for Buying and Storing Pecans
2. Keep shelled pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for two months.Durden Pecan: Pecan Selection and Storage TipsN.B. As open to the air pecans will absorb different odors and flavors, shelled pecans should always be kept in a closed container.http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodstorage/a/pecanstorage.htmClosed containers will also help to protect Pecans from insectshttp://www.durdenpecan.com/pecan-storage-tips.htm.
3. Store shelled (or unshelled) pecans in the refrigerator for up to nine months.North Carolina Pecan Growers: How to Choose and Handle NC Pecans
4. Pecans housed in the freezer will last up to two years.Texas Pecan Growers Association: What is the Best Way to Store Pecans?
   • -Thaw frozen pecans before using them in recipes.Durden Pecan: Pecan Selection and Storage Tips

• Choose a shelling tool and technique that suits the amount of pecans you need to crack. You may also wish to choose a method to "prepare" the pecans before cracking to make shelling easier.

1. Hammer: Stand the nut on a solid surface on its flat end, then hit the top with a hammer.The Nut Factory: Cracking Nuts
2. Traditional Nutcracker: Position the pecan in the jaws of the plier-like tool and gently squeeze the handles together to crack the nut.Williams-Sonoma: Nutcracker Nutcrackers.com: Quick Tips for Functional Nutcrackers
   • -Some nutcracker sets also come with nut picks that you can use to lift stubborn pecans out of the shell.Kitchen Store: Quackenbush Nutcracker Set
3. Rotary Nutcracker: Place a pecan in the specialty tool and turn it clockwise to crack the shell so the nutmeat will be easy to remove.Homestead Market: Nut Cracker
4. Ergonomic Nutcracker: Simply drop a pecan into the cone and squeeze the handle to crack.Amazon.com: Chef's Planet Innovative Black Nutcracker
5. Twist Nutcracker: Position a pecan in the opening and twist the handle just until the shell cracks so you can free the whole pieces.Amazon.com: Nutcracker by Blomus
6. Tabletop Nutcracker: Insert a pecan and press the handle to crack the shell into large pieces.Amazon.com: Duke Pecan Cracker Base Nutcrackers.com: Quick Tips for Functional Nutcrackers
7. Electric Nutcracker: Place a pecan in the rotating cylinder, which can crack one every two seconds. Ideal for cracking a large amount of pecans.Pecans.com: Kinetic Nutcracker Nutcrackers.com: Quick Tips for Functional Nutcrackers

• Step 1: Pecan Nut Selection
• Step 2: Pecan Nut Storage
• Step 3: Pecan Shelling Tools and Techniques