pine nut

pine nut, edible seed of a pine (genus Pinus).

Pine nuts, small, creamy, ivory-coloured seeds—sometimes known as pine kernels and also sold as pignoli, pinyons, or piñons—have been appreciated for their exquisite flavour since prehistoric times. The ancient Greeks and Romans knew and loved pine nuts; they are one of the foods archaeologists discovered in the ruins of Pompeii. Among some Indigenous peoples of California, annual gathering parties in the Sierra Nevada marked the traditional beginning of fall, and today harvesting pine nuts is a featured activity at national parks and public lands in the Mountain West.

Although all of the numerous varieties of pines around the world produce seeds, only some are edible. Of these, the seeds of the Mediterranean (or Italian) stone pine, Pinus pinea, are particularly prized for their pronounced nutty flavour. It can take up to 25 years for a pine tree to crop and seven years for the cones to mature sufficiently to release their seeds, which means that pine nuts can be expensive.

An essential ingredient in pesto, pine nuts are also paired with raisins and spinach in many Mediterranean cuisines. They are frequent additions to salads and vegetables and, combined with almond paste, figure in a favourite Italian cookie. They are high in healthful monounsaturated fats and rich in protein, which means that they tend to go rancid quickly; they are best stored in the refrigerator. Raw pine nuts have a soft, milky texture and a sweet, buttery flavour. Light toasting without fat releases a more prominent nutty flavour, inviting aroma, and crisp texture.