Pignolias – Italian Pine Nuts

A Mediterranean Pignoli pine nut is a tiny, soft-textured, elongated, ivory-colored seed. In its raw state, a Pignoli nut has have a sweet, buttery flavor. Toasting Pignoli pine nuts intensifies their flavor and makes them slightly crunchy.

Growing and Harvesting

Pine nuts are harvested from just a few varieties of pine trees. The pine trees take 15 to 25 years to produce seeds. When the seeds are ready to harvest, the harvesting is done by hand. The labor-intensive, time-consuming process of harvesting, drying, and extracting the seeds is what makes pignoli pine nuts expensive.

The popularity of Italian Pine Nuts

Some evidence indicates that pine nuts were used in culinary and medicinal ways over five thousand years ago. In Europe, pine nuts were used in meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. The Italian pine nut, also called a Pignoli nut is used to make Italian pesto. Pesto gained popularity in the United States in around 1990. Another dish that drew attention to pine nuts is an Italian cake known as Torta della nonna. This is a unique cake that is made according to individual family recipes. It resembles a tart or pie and has a pine nut topping.

Culinary Uses

Mediterranean pine nuts have a milder flavor than the Chinese variety. Roasting or toasting these nuts intensifies their nutty flavor. Toasting the seeds is very simple. You just place the raw nuts on a tray and put them in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes. You should shake the tray halfway through the roasting process.

Pine nuts are a flavorful addition to chicken dishes, soups, and pasta dishes. They can be sprinkled over a salad for extra crunchiness or used to make an Artisan Loaf or Parmesan Oregano and Pine Nut melts to serve with a salad. They’re a great pizza topping, especially on a bacon or chicken pesto pizza.

Unique, delicious, quick, and easy Pignoli cookies are a popular sweet, nutty Italian treat that you don’t want to deprive yourself of. You only need almond paste, sugar, egg whites, and Pignoli to make these authentic cookies. Their baking time is about 15 minutes so you don’t have to wait long to indulge in these popular cookies.