Nuts

[Mark]

No, this isn't a comment on any of the more 'extreme' threads we've had here in The Diner recently. I just figured that as Christmas approaches and one's mind turns (perhaps?) to that classical festive frivolity, 'The Nutcracker', it's easy to go off at a tangent and start thinking about what types of nuts to buy, in readiness for scoffing during the holiday season.

Personally, I have a weakness for two varieties: pistachio and cashew. Roasted and salted, naturally. I'm also rather partial to peanuts, but I appreciate that, technically, these have no place in this thread, as they're not really nuts.

What about you? Are you nuts about nuts?

[springrite]

My favorites are chestnuts and pistachios. But I do not eat as much nuts as I used to to avoid getting gaut.

Incidentally, a pregnant Vanessa now often get sudden urges to eat certain nuts, which has to be satisfied within an hour. I have been sent out about 5 times in the past two weeks searching for certain nuts at odd hours. The last time it was sweatened roasted chestnuts. The week before she suddenly wanted some pine nuts. Good thing I found it within an hour so I did not have to fight some squerrel for its inventory!

[Bogey]

Hazel nuts and almonds.  Unshelled and unsalted preferred.

[Gurn Blanston]

For nuts that I can't grow in my back yard (pecans and walnuts), I have a decided preference for cashews. Brazil nuts are a close second.



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Now playing:

Paul O'Dette, Lute - BWV 995 Suite in a "Lute Pieces for Monsieur Schouster"-pt.3-Courante

[longears]

California almonds--raw, roasted, or smoked, salted or not.  As you're in advertising, Mark, you might appreciate the old ad campaign that featured several growers from the Blue Diamond cooperative standing waist deep in a sea of almonds with the slogan, "A can a week is all we ask."  (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psn9IHfF_bs)  I really like to mix raw almonds with dried cranberries--apricots make a good combo, too.

Other faves include cashews, pistachios, and macadamia nuts.  Good pecan pie (especially made with blackstrap molasses) is to die for, and many a fine salad would be impoverished without walnuts.

[BachQ]

raw, unsalted walnuts, pecans, and almonds.

[Keemun]

My two favorites are pistachios and cashews.  I don't care much for walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc. (except pecan pie).  I do like peanuts, but they're not my favorite.  Generally speaking, I think most baked goods (except the aforementioned pecan pie) are ruined when nuts are added to them.   

[Shrunk]

Here's a simple recipe for fried cashews from an Indian cookbook:

Start with about 1/2 lb raw cashews (You can get them at bulk or health food stores).

Fill a pan with about an inch of oil and set a sieve atop a metal bowl.  Heat the oil over medium, and add the cashews.  Stir and cook until they are reddish-gold (This will happen pretty quickly, so watch them carefully).  Empty into the sieve and let the oil drain off.  Shake the nuts out onto a plate covered with a paper towel and add salt and pepper to taste.  Slide them onto another paper towel-covered plate to remove more of the oil, then enjoy.

Absolutely addictive.

[orbital]

Turkish pistachios comes far ahead (the California variety is no match), followed by hazelnuts, walnuts (during late summer only) and roasted chestnuts (candied in sugar syrup works here too  ).

[Mark]

I'm beginning to warm to almonds (without sugar coating ), but they're unlikely to topple my top two at this stage.

One nut I still can't get on with is the Brazil nut. Dunno why - just doesn't have good 'mouth appeal'. Hazelnuts are gaining ground in my affections, too, but I prefer these in something chocolatey.

[Drasko]

Hazelnuts are undesputed first choice, then walnuts and roasted chestnuts (preferably from streetgrills, wrapped in newspapers)

[George]

Roasted and salted, naturally.

Why naturally?

I'm also rather partial to peanuts, but I appreciate that, technically, these have no place in this thread, as they're not really nuts.

What about you? Are you nuts about nuts?

I am. I like them raw. Cashews, almonds, peanuts, MMMMMMMM. 

[George]

Hazel nuts and almonds.  Unshelled and unsalted preferred.

I bet it's much harder to overindulge that way. 

[Bogey]

I bet it's much harder to overindulge that way. 

You got it buddy...a handful of shelled will fill me up like nothing else.  I also enjoy peanuts.  Unsalted and in the shell...but I only eat those at the ballpark.

[George]

You got it buddy...a handful of shelled will fill me up like nothing else.  I also enjoy peanuts.  Unsalted and in the shell...but I only eat those at the ballpark.

That takes me back. Last year we had them at NY Whole Foods with the Red Sox emblem on them. 

I also will admit to having nutbutters by the spoonful, usually when making a sandwich, waiting for the toast to finish?

Dinner tonight: raw, shelled almonds and steel cut oatmeal. 

[(poco) Sforzando]

Cashews, almonds, pistachios - all unsalted and natural. Brazil nuts and walnuts not so much, macadamias not at all (too oily). But though I'm not so crazy about hazelnuts by themselves, they are wonderful in gelato. Haagen Dasz used to make a wonderful hazelnut gelato, which they've unfortunately discontinued. Or fortunately for my expanding waistline, as I used to go through a pint a week.