Pine nuts - valuable cones

Pine nuts are the seeds of the pine cone. They grow enclosed in very hard shells. Pine trees (Pinus pinea) bear their first fruit after 15 years. Cultivation and harvest of pine nuts therefore require a lot of diligence.

Pine nuts have a very delicate flavor and contain considerable concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and iron as well as high amounts of vitamin A, B1 and B2.

Pine nuts are used in the Mediterranean kitchen and are indispensable for the preparation of pesto. In the Turkish and Arabic kitchen, they are often used to embellish rice dishes.

Pine nut processing

Product

Pine kernels

From January to May, the pine cones are removed from the trees with long poles and cutting knives.

After drying the pine cones in the sun, they are beaten in order to remove the nuts. The hard nut shells are cracked open, the nuts are washed, dried and sorted by hand.

Recipes with pine nuts

Roasted Carrot Soup with Pine Nuts and Walnut Oil

Yellow Tomato Salad with Melon and fresh Mint

Fresh Fig Salad with toasted Pine Nuts and Omega Oil

Pesto made of radish and carrot greens

Pasta salad with avocado pesto dressing

Broccoli pesto with pine nuts

Gluten-free Zuchinelli pizza from chick peas flour