Pecans are a nut from the tree Carya Illinoinensis, a variety of hickory that is native to North America. Pecans are the only variety of hickory that has undergone significant improvement through cultivation.
Pecans are most popular in desserts such as pies, cookies, and [Candy|candies]], but also are used in salads, stuffings, chicken or fish coating, and other side dishes. Also pecans may be used whole, toasted and spiced, or covered with chocolate. They make great gifts for the holidays for friends, family and co-workers.
History and Use
Pecans were used by Native Americans, probably for thousands of years, and were first introduced to Europe in the 1500s through Spanish exploration in the region that would become the American South. Their rich, buttery flavor has made them a traditional ingredient in confections such as pralines and pecan pie. They are also generally found in assortments of mixed nuts, both shelled and unshelled. Pecans have lately gained vogue as a key ingredient in 'pecan-encrusted' dishes, featuring seafood or poultry rolled in a wet or dry preparation of crushed pecan kernels, then broiled or sauteed.
Graham Break-Aways Recipe
Ingredients needed for Graham Break-Aways: 12 Honey Maid Honey Grahams, broken in half (24 squares), 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1 cup Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks, 1/2 cup finely chopped Planters Pecans. Heat oven to 350°F. Arrange graham squares in single layer in 15x10x1-inch pan. Bring butter and sugar to boil in medium saucepan on medium heat; cook 2 minutes or until butter is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Pour over graham squares; immediately spread to cover all the grahams squares. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until sugar mixture is lightly browned and bubbly; top with chocolate. Bake 1 to 2 min. or until chocolate is melted. Remove from oven; immediately spread over grahams squares. Sprinkle with nuts; press lightly into chocolate with back of spoon. Cool completely before breaking into squares.
May substitute peanuts for the pecans. You can also make Almond-White Chocolate Chunk Graham Break-Aways. Prepare as directed, substituting Planters Slivered Almonds for the pecans and 6 squares Baker's White Chocolate, chopped, for the semi-sweet chocolate chunks.
Cinnamon Sugared Pecans Recipe
Pecan Merchandise
Note: Pecan trees grow best in warm climates, and as such many of the products on these sites may be unavailable at certain times of the year.
Priester's: Pecan Gift Baskets, Nuts, Pies, and More
Yahoo! Shopping: [http://shopping.yahoo.com/s:Snacks%20%26%20Nuts:30605-Nut%20%26%20Seed%20Type=Pecans;_ylt=Asav.iAw_cS1xf2GfPmQRsseW10D;_ylu=X3oDMTBmNzVhaTljBF9zAwRzZWMDd2VzdG5hdg--?y=gg Pecans and Related Products
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Species of hickory
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Native to southeastern North America
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Domesticated only in the late 1800s
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State tree of Texas
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Reportedly effective in lowering cholesterol
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Good source of Vitamin E
