Pecans, The Only Native American Nut

Pecans are some of my favorite nuts. I can eat them by the handfuls, and just pop them in my mouth one after another after another. They are prevalent all throughout the American south and parts of Mexico. Pecans were favored by many Native Americans because they were accessible to waterways and easier to shell than other North American nut species. They are also the only native American nut (The edible kind that is. We have plenty of other nuts, but that is a whole other story). Pecans are known as the “proud American nut”, but they are really a type of fruit known as a drupe. A drupe is a type of fruit that is classified as having a pit that contains a seed inside of a harder outer shell.

Pecans are the American cousin of the walnut. They have a lot of similarities, but a lot of differences too. The shells are different, with the pecan shells being smoother, but the inside kernel is similar in looks. Pecans are elongated and oval with deep grooves, while walnuts are rounded and have a brain-like appearance. Pecans are also sweeter, with a creamier, more oily texture than their walnut cousins. Walnuts also tend to be a bit more bitter and crunchier than pecans. Both are very healthy, but offer slightly different nutrient values. Pecans are richer in fiber and vitamin E, whereas walnuts are higher in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. They are known to be good for the heart, among other parts of our bodies as well. Pecans also tend to be smaller than walnuts.

Pecans have been in North America for centuries and were a valuable food source for the Native Americans, especially during the fall. The name “pecan” itself is derived from an Algonquin word, pacane, meaning “a nut that takes a stone to crack”. There is a wide variety of different types of pecans found throughout the pecan world too. Who knew?

Native pecans typically have thicker shells and smaller kernels, while cultivated varieties, often referred to as “improved” pecans, feature thinner shells and larger, meatier nuts. Thin-shell pecans, commonly known as paper-shell pecans, are popular for snacking because they are easy to crack by hand.

Pecans are often associated with spiritual symbols of abundance, prosperity, and patience. They are considered to be a symbol of natural bounty and have a long history of being revered by Native Americans. Additionally, pecan trees can be seen as a reminder to trust the process of growth and to give things time.

Pecan trees in the United States started as a wild species, originally found mainly in the Southern parts of the country. They were introduced to the United States for cultivation purposes from Spanish colonists and Franciscans who settled in northern Mexico, when they began cultivating pecan trees in the late 1600s or early 1700s. French settlers in Louisiana also planted pecan trees in the 18th century, marking the beginning of pecan cultivation in the southern United States. The first significant commercial pecan plantings in the United States occurred in Louisiana and Texas in the late 1800s, primarily using budding and grafting techniques developed earlier in the 19th century. Georgia started cultivating pecans in the late 1800s and is now one of the top pecan-producing states in the country – growing over 100 million pounds of pecans each year. Today, over 80% of pecans are grown in Georgia, Texas and New Mexico. South Africa is also known for being a pecan producer. In some cultures, the pecan tree symbolizes wealth and financial security, reflecting its value as a food source and a valuable crop.

Pecans are such a part of the Southern and Texan cultures, that the pecan tree became the official state tree of Texas in 1919. Fossilized evidence suggests that Texas had pecan trees as early as prehistoric times. Pecan trees can grow up to about 150 feet and can live for up to 200-300 years or more, but they can take up to 10 years to mature enough to start producing their “fruits” . They also require a lot of water. The number one killer of pecan trees is lack of water and proper irrigation. Typically, pecan orchards are planted with 12–24 trees per acre, with wider spacing allowing for better air circulation and sunlight penetration as the trees mature. Native pecan trees are thinned to 10 to 12 trees per acre. Texas is the top exporter of native pecans which are the only commercially grown nut in Texas. The town of San Saba, Texas is widely known as the “Pecan Capital of the World”. It’s situated in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, and boasts a rich history with the pecan industry. Pecan season is late in the year, with harvest occurring between October and December. Though late November and December is not a typical harvest season for most other fruiting plants, the Texas climate enables pecans to mature perfectly during this time. Fortunately, pecan season is right in time for holiday treats and pies.

Pecans can be used in so many different ways, in an endless array of different recipes from salads to savory dishes to sweet desserts and pies. Because of their naturally sweet flavor, they seem to be used most often for pies, sweets and desserts though. That’s OK by me. I LOVE pecan pie, a traditional favorite for Thanksgiving all across America. But then I also love adding them to my salads, or to grind them up and use them as a “breading” for a variety of different dishes too.

Here are some different recipe ideas for using pecans. Like with anything, you just need a little imagination and creativity, and the possibilities are endless. 🙂

It’s perfectly OK to be a little nutty. In fact, nuts and pecans specifically, are a healthy choice for you too. So eat your nuts and get nutty. You’ll be glad you did.

Have a great, nutty day and make everyday great. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.