Making the Best out of Texas Seasonal Pecans at Home

Discover > Texas Home Cooking > Making the Best out of Texas Seasonal Pecans at Home

The Texas pecan is one of the most popular nuts (how long do nuts last?) in America. It's not hard to see why: they're delicious and very versatile. But you might be wondering, "What should I do with my seasonal Texas Pecans?" We'll get more into that later, but first a quick background on these wonderfully tasty nuts.

Texas Pecans are a Wonderful Treat, Especially in the Autumn.

Pecans (how long do pecans last?) are a wonderful treat, especially in the autumn. Pecans grow on trees native to North America and they're not only delicious but also rich in nutrients that can help improve your health. Pecans are low in fat and have no cholesterol, so they make a great snack for people with heart disease or high blood pressure. They're also an excellent source of protein, fiber and vitamin E—all important nutrients for maintaining good health!

Pecans are drought tolerant because they don't need much water throughout their lifetime; however if you live near an area where there is plenty of rain then growing pecans will be easier since they prefer wet soil conditions over dry ones (which means less work for you).

Pecan History in Texas

Pecans were originally native to the southeast United States. They were first introduced to Texas in the early 1850s and now, it's now one of the largest pecan producing states in the US. In fact, many counties and places around Texas have their own pecan festivals this time of the year!

A lot of people think that pecans are only grown for their delicious nuts but actually there are many other uses for them as well such as making pies, candy and even breads!

Pecan Nutrition

  • Pecans are high in fat, but it is the good kind of fat. They're rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can help you maintain a healthy heart and reduce cholesterol levels.

  • Pecans are also a good source of protein and fiber—both essential nutrients that keep your digestive system running smoothly.

  • Vitamin A (beta-carotene) has antioxidant properties that may protect your vision as well as help protect against cancer and other diseases caused by free radicals that damage cells, including those found in the brain, skin and lungs. Vitamin C helps generate collagen inside our bodies which gives us strong bones while also keeping our immune systems strong against bacteria or viruses trying to invade us! Vitamin E provides us with anti-aging benefits when consumed regularly such as protecting against cell damage caused by pollution or UV rays from sun exposure so we can stay looking young longer than ever before :)

Our Favorite Pecan recipes

  • Pecan pie. This classic dessert features the flavor of pecans in every bite, with a creamy filling and crunchy topping.

  • Pecan cookies. These crisp cookies are great for dunking or spreading onto ice cream or yogurt for an extra dose of protein.

Pecan Pie Recipe

Pecan pie is a holiday staple. It's sweet and buttery, with a crunchy crust and just the right amount of filling. But it can be hard to make at home, because pecan pie recipes are packed full of obscure ingredients and require too much time to get right.

That's why we've created this recipe! This recipe is simple to make but still tastes amazing—and it takes less than an hour from start to finish. You'll need a few basic ingredients: maple syrup (how long does maple syrup last?), butter, brown sugar, salt, eggs and pecans. The rest is up to you! We've included suggestions for adding other flavors like lemon (or marsala wine) or bourbon whiskey.

For the Crust:

  • 1 cup butter, melted

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1 egg

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 2 1/2 cups flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add the butter and work it into the mixture with your fingers until it's crumbly.

2. Stir in the egg and vanilla, then add the water. Mix well until it forms a ball that holds together when squeezed in your hand.

3. Roll out the dough on a sheet of parchment paper to about 1/8-inch thickness and place into a 9-inch pie plate or cake pan. Crimp the edges or cut decorative shapes out of pastry dough using a round cookie cutter—or just leave it plain if you prefer!

For the Filling:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch (how long does cornstarch last?)

  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 3 cups chopped pecans 

  • ÂĽ cup butter

1. In a  pan, bring the brown sugar, cornstarch, maple syrup, butter to a boil then remove from heat

2. Add the pecans to the mixture and gently fold

3. Pour the mixture into the pie crust

4. Bake the pie in a preheated oven at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes or until set

Pecan Cookie Recipe

You know what's so great about pecan cookies? They're simple to make, sure, but they taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. That's because we've got a recipe for pecan cookies that's meant to be easy and delicious!

First, you'll need some butter. You can use whatever kind of butter you want—we like salted butter for this recipe because it gives the cookies extra flavor.

Then, add in some sugar—we recommend using granulated sugar here since it makes it easier to add more as needed. We also recommend using light brown sugar because it has a better texture than dark brown sugar, which can make your cookies dry out if not used correctly.

Finally, add in some salt (if desired), then beat until combined with the other ingredients. Once combined, let sit on the counter for at least 30 minutes (or longer if you want) before baking them off in your oven!

  • 1 cup butter, softened

  • 2/3 cup granulated white sugar

  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

  • 1 egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup chopped pecans 

Conclusion

Pecans are a great treat, and they’re also very nutritious. Pecan season is short, so it’s important to eat them while they’re available. We hope this article has helped you learn more about pecans and how to make the best out of Texas seasonal pecans!

No Time to Bake? Check Out These Great Pie Makers Across Texas!

More from TexasRealFood:

Previous
Previous

What Exactly is The Locavore Movement?

Next
Next

Making the Best Out of Seasonal Texas Pumpkins, The Guide