National Pecan Day Review

National Pecan Day - April 14

 National Pecan Day is a Food Holiday celebrated each year on April 14.  The pecan is a  member of the hickory family and is native to central and southern United States.  Pecans make great snacks eaten on their own, but they also make terrific garnishes to other foods such as desserts, salads or the main meal. 

"Pecan” is an Algonquian word, meaning a nut requiring a stone to crack. 

The pecan tree is the only nut tree native to North America.  These trees grow best in central and southern United States. Georgia, in particular, is known for it's Pecans. 

Here are two of my favorite recipes using pecans – Pecan Pie  and Sugar Coated Pecans. Either recipe ~ or both ~ would be a great way to celebrate National Pecan Day! 

Pecan Pie

Directions for Pie Crust:

Mix 3 cups flour and 1/2 tsp. salt in a bowl. Add 3/4 cup vegetable shortening and 3/4 cup salted butter. Work the butter into the flour using a dough cutter until the mixture resembles tiny pebbles.

Add one egg, 5 tablespoons cold water and mix until just combined. 

*This recipe makes enough for two pie crusts.

Directions for the Filling:

1. Mix one cup sugar, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, one cup corn syrup, 1/3 cup melted  butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 3 whole eggs (beaten) together. 
2. Roll out one dough half to fit your pie pan. Pour one cup of chopped pecans in the bottom of the unbaked pie shell. Pour the syrup mixture over the top. Cover the top and crust with foil.
3. Bake the pie for 30 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 degrees. Remove the foil, and then continue baking for 20 minutes, being careful not to burn the crust or pecans.
4.  The pie should be set and not jiggly when you remove it from the oven. If it seems to shake a lot, recover with foil and bake longer, or until set. The required baking time varies from 50-75 minutes. 
5. Cool for several hours or overnight. Serve in thin slivers.

Sugar Coated Pecans

"These sweet pecans are wonderful snacks for any occasion."

Ingredients:

• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 pound pecan halves

  

• 1 cup white sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Grease one baking sheet.
2. In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.

More Pecan Treats

In addition to sugar coated pecans, another absolutely delicious pecan sweet treat is pralines.  The best I've ever had are handmade at River Street Sweets candy shop in Savannah, Georgia. 

Click here for more tasty Pecan Treats on ReviewThisReviews

Other Pecan Day celebrations include:

• Pecan Day – March 25
• National Pecan Day – April 14
• National Pecan Month – April

So, pick a day …. or a month … and enjoy this nutritious and tasty nut called the Pecan.

Related Articles:

Praline - Source: Pixabay

• River Street Sweets - Savannah Candy Store Review

National Pecan Day written by (c) Wednesday Elf on 4/11/2020

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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