Pecans   Carya pecan, Carya olivaeformis, and Hicoria pecan.

An American Indian nut, the pecan is the most widely cultivated and harvested nut in North America. A member of the hickory family like the walnut pecans grow throughout the southern states and Mexico. Its oil content of about 70% makes it one of the highest of all nuts and are usually pressed whole to release the flavorful oil.  This high oil content also makes the pecan nut highly susceptible to rancidity.

Pecans are used as a nut, for snacks, as garnishes in some bakeries, confections and in poultry stuffing and dressings. Pecans make delicious pies. They are available in their shells (they are easy to shell), shelled and halved in envelopes and cans, salted and plain. Pecans also come chopped.

      1 pound of pecans in their shells will yield about 1/3 pound meats.
      1/2 pound of shelled pecans will measure about 13/4 cups.

Remove the shells with a nutcracker.

In season in November and December

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