By Jennifer Restuccio a recent ASU Nutrition Student
Arizona has some of the best fruits and nuts in the world. Dates, pecans, pistachios, and lemons are all coveted Arizona exports. In 2018 alone Arizona’s pecan production was worth over 52,170,000 dollars and 17,000 acres were used for harvesting pecans.
Pecans are a holiday favorite, but there is so much more than just pecan pie. If you have some pecans on hand and you’re feeling creative, here are some delicious recipes that break the mold.
If you aren’t a fan of pecans, let me remind you that they are a great source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Pecans are also high in vitamin E, vitamin A, folic acid, iron, and magnesium. Give one of these recipes a try and I guarantee you will fall in love with the rich nutty flavor of pecans.
Scientific evidence even suggests that eating a handful of nuts a day helps lower cholesterol and can reduce the risk of developing heart disease as if you needed even more reasons to incorporate pecans into your diet.
Here are 50 unique recipes that will make you see pecans in a whole new light!
- Mini Pecan Monkey Bread Loaves
- Pecan Rice
- Slow Cooker Candied Nuts
- Grape Pecan Chicken Salad
- Carrot Pecan Cake
- Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball
- Just Like LongHorn’s Strawberry Pecan Salad
- Pecan Tassies
- Pecan Raisin Bread
- Green Beans with Candied Pecans
- Alaska Salmon Bake with Pecan Crunch Coating
- Pecan Snowball Cookies
- Apple Pecan Cobbler
- Prickly Pear Pecan Bars
- Papaya Pecan Streusel Cake
- Maple Pecan Granola
- Millionaire Pie
- Baked Blueberry Pecan French Toast
- Southern Pecan Pie Coffee Cake
- Turtle Candy with Pecans and Caramel
- Cranberry Apple Pie with Pecan Shortbread Crust
- Pecan Meringue Cookies
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Pecans and Maple Syrup
- Homemade Basil Pecan Pesto
- Pecan Crusted Pork Tenderloin
- Mama’s Sausage Pecan Balls
- Spaghetti and Pecan Meatballs
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Lentil Pea and Potato Curry
- Pecan Sweet Potato Bake
- Easy Banana Pecan Bread
- Pecan Chicken Casserole
- Chili Pecans
- Pan-Roasted Steak Pasta with Pecans
- Pear and Bleu Cheese Salad
- Chai Spiced Blackberry Muffins with Pecan Oat Streusel
- Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
- Pecan Smoked Chicken Wings
- Pecan Jam
- Louisiana Pecan Bacon Bread
- Apricot Pecan Cornbread Stuffing
- Oatmeal Pecan Muffins
- Pecan Crusted Tuna Steak
- Pumpkin Pecan Frozen Yogurt
- Berry-Pecan Cheesecake Bars (Keto)
- Wheat Berry Salad with Pecans and Craisins
- Clean Eating Butternut Pecan Quinoa Salad
- Candied Pecan Pear Salad with Pomegranates
- Pecan Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast
- Creamy Lentil and Pecan Cucumber Toppers
Sources:
https://ilovepecans.org/nutrition-in-a-nutshell/
https://agriculture.az.gov/plantsproduce/what-we-grow/tree-fruits-and-nuts
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=ARIZONA
Looking for more fun articles? Check out the Fill Your Plate blog for new articles every week. For fun recipes to cook with the family, be sure to check out the Fill Your Plate recipe section.