The cooked pine nut is one of the most traditional dishes in southern Brazilian cuisine, especially in the regions of Santa Catarina, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul. It is a true symbol of winter festivities, such as the famous June party, and is widely consumed in autumn and winter, when the araucaria tree, from which the pine nut is extracted, begins to produce its seeds. The simplicity of the dish and the strong flavor of the pine nut, combined with an easy-to-prepare recipe, make this food a true delicacy.
The pinion is a seed from the araucaria tree, known as the Paraná pine. It has a mild flavor and a creamy texture when cooked, which makes it an excellent accompaniment to barbecues or even a quick snack. Below, you can check out the traditional recipe for cooked pine nut, a true delight of our gastronomy.
Ingredients:
- 500 g pine nuts (about 1 packet)
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt to taste
- Enough water to cover the pine nuts
Directions:
1. Preparing the Pine Nut:
Before you start cooking them, it is important to clean the pine nuts thoroughly. If you have purchased the pine nuts fresh, remove the hard outer shells. Then, wash the pine nuts thoroughly to remove any dirt or soil residue.
2. Cooking the Pine Nut:
In a large pot, place the pine nuts and add water until they are completely submerged. Add the bay leaves and salt. The water should completely cover the pine nuts to ensure they cook evenly.
Bring the pan to a boil over high heat. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat and let it cook for about 40 to 50 minutes, or until the pine nuts are soft. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of the pine nuts, so at the end of the cooking time, test by piercing a pine nut with a fork. If it goes in easily, the pine nuts are ready!
3. Finishing and Serving:
When the pine nuts are cooked, remove them from the pan and drain off any excess water. Serve them warm, accompanied by a good sauce of your choice, or simply with a little butter and a touch of salt, if desired.
If you prefer, you can also remove the thin shell from each pine nut and enjoy them as a snack, in a simple and delicious way.
Tips:
- Additional seasonings: In addition to salt and bay leaves, you can try adding other seasonings to your taste, such as black pepper, minced garlic or even a little butter to give the pine nuts more flavor.
- Faster cooking: If you are in a hurry and want to speed up the process, you can use a pressure cooker. In this case, the pine nuts should be cooked for about 20 to 30 minutes after the cooker reaches pressure.
- Follow-up: Cooked pine nuts are an excellent accompaniment to barbecues, feijoadas or even as part of a snack, served with bread, cheese and sausages.
Benefits of Pine Nuts:
In addition to being delicious, pine nuts are also nutritious. They are a good source of carbohydrates, proteins and fiber, as well as B vitamins and minerals such as iron and phosphorus. Therefore, pine nuts are considered a great option for maintaining energy and health, especially during the winter, when the body needs more nutrients.
