Pistachio Recipes For National Pistachio Day
|
February 26th is National Pistachio Nut Day, a snack beloved by many. But pistachios also shine in recipes, like those that follow. > The history of pistachio nuts. > The year’s pistachio holidays. > Below: Does it make sense to buy pistachios in their shells when you can buy them shelled? > Also below, the health benefits of pistachios. Breakfast
A USDA study presented on Monday shows that pistachio nuts, already one of the lowest-calorie nuts, may contain fewer calories per serving than originally thought. Why? Scientific research indicates that fat from nuts is poorly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. The study confirmed that the fat from pistachio nuts, specifically, is not completely digested or absorbed, resulting in a lower energy value. Energy value translates into calories. (The exact calorie savings has yet to be calculated.) Fats make up the largest component of nuts. Here’s the nutritional breakdown for pistachios. The study also confirmed the heart-healthy benefits of pistachios among individuals who included 1.5 to 3 ounces of pistachio nuts in their daily diets. Dubbed the “skinny nut” by nutrition experts, about 30 pistachio kernels make a satisfying, 100-calorie snack. Another research finding: In-shell snackers eat 41% fewer calories than those who snack on shelled nuts. Not only does it slow down the eating process, but researchers also found that in-shell pistachios offer a visual cue to help reduce intake. Pistachio nuts are also nutrient-dense and are an excellent source of copper and manganese vitamin B6 and a good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, protein, and thiamine. (article continues)
|
[6] Beautiful shelled pistachios (photo © Santa Barbara Pistachios). |
|
 [7] Use chopped pistachios to create a crust on any fish fillet (also on lamb, pork, and poultry). Here’s the recipe (photo © Love & Olive Oil). WHY BUY PISTACHIOS IN THE SHELL? If you’re using them for cooking, pre-shelled is definitely the way to go to save time and a lot of effort. But for snacking, the shells might actually save you from accidentally eating the whole bag! There’s actually a mindful eating advisory called “The Pistachio Principle.” Because you have to crack each nut open, it slows down your eating pace. Even if you don’t count out your allotment before you begin to snack, the pile of empty shells serves as a visual reminder of how much you’ve consumed. Experts say that this visual helps your brain register fullness. In fact, research has shown that people who eat in-shell pistachios consume about 40% fewer calories in a sitting compared to those eating shelled nuts. Another reason is price. Usually, you pay a premium for the labor of shelling. In-shell pistachios are almost always significantly cheaper on a per-ounce basis than the pre-shelled variety. In prior decades, other benefits were that shelled pistachios are exposed to more air, which can cause the natural oils to go rancid more quickly. In-shell nuts generally stay fresher, crunchier, and more flavorful for longer periods. However, with “sell by” dates and resealable packages, this is not an issue today. Both in-shell and unshelled nuts are available raw and roasted, traditional and organic, salted and unsalted, and flavored. Given the cost of dental work, we’ll never risk a chipped tooth cracking open a pistachio shell again!
CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM. |
||
