One of my favorite things to fix with pecans from the Garry farm - Pecan Pies
Strangely we are getting a few pecans this year... In the midst of the drought, what the squirrels haven't gotten, (and the cats have chased the squirrels), now the crows are trying to get green pecans and fly off with them. On the ground, the armadillo seems to like them as do the raccoons and the deer. So I like pecans, but over the years I've learned a few ways to id which to keep and how to store and want to share them. Take a careful look at the picture below and see if you can tell which of the pecans are prime (this year's and expect to have good pecan meat in them), culls, secondary pecans (those with green husks) and last years or even prior year pecans.
#5 Good pecans. They fell out of the tree a bit early but with our dry weather in a few more days, you simply peel the cover shell away and use them
#4 Cull pecans. The dark shells are dried out from last season and the other pecans have bite marks on them.
#3 One possible good pecan, The green coating may dry sufficiently to get the pecan out, Although the second pecan has a crack on the end of it, since it might ave been bitten by a rodent or other disease bearer so I'll pass along on this although I'm super frugal!
#2 All have pin holes in them, probably from worms. Even if part of the meat maybe unaffected, it will yield a bitter taste.
#1 Hurrah this year's pecans and expected to be prime. The truth will be told after they are shelled.
Oddest event while picking up pecans, squirrels nailed me with a green covered pecan and yes it hit me in the face and even worse covered with squirrel saliva.. ugh. I really think He beaned me with it on purpose. I did go and wash my face before continuing.
Best non human helper with pecans..... I had a cat who would bring me pecans to the back door. They were always there as she had observed me gathering them and these were for me!!!! I so miss her. She was always a ferocious mouser and squirreler as well.
Advice on picking and storage, gather daily or twice daily to beat your native competition. Bag immediately and put in freezer. These will insure that if there is a pin hole in one of your nuts you will not find all ruined when you get around to shelling.
What to do with the shells?our trees have had no toxic chemicals so all of the shells, etc make excellent compost. Be sure to bury deep as they will certainly attract the predators!
Length of time - in the freezer - for us they have been good three to five years, usually don't last that long, unless they move to the back of the freezer. What if you are not a baker?
Roasted pecans - great to go with your salads, or yogurts, or in your homemade granola at the very end. Toss them in your stir fry. You'll get a new flavor and crunch factor!
Toasted pecans are a great snack as well. If you are not a pie maker, you may want to try some homemade cinnamon buns with the pecans highlighting them both inside the rolled up dough and sprinkle on top as well.
A pecan pie in the making. Once the pastry is made and the custard is cooked and you learn how not to over or undercook the pie, it's not too complex! And really it is almost as easy to make two as one. They freeze well!
Dried Peach and pecan granola yes it was good!!!!
And on Yummy I love to make cinnamon rolls with pecans as well
I have never made pecan butter, but I bet it would be very tasty.....Well hope this has been educational and helpful. To see some of our farm's recipes, please do stop by The Garry Farm in facebook. Also I tend to be a bit of an improviser and encourage you to play with your food as you eat and cook it and cook with joy and love.....Let's see.....mmmm pecans in soft cheese spreads, shakes, great protein source, pecans with cooked oatmeal - why not! Oh and the best reason to go to weddings in addition to getting all covered with happy smiles and loved!!! Those wedding cookies....... Please eat food that comes to you with no preservatives, or toxic sprays, eat local and lots of veggies and fruit. Real bread - made with fresh real grains - the sturdy stuff! Go to your real local market and meet your farmers. Those farmers have to eat and there is some good cooking going on in a farm kitchen. Have a blessed day. And live your life with Joy. Be a food adventurer. Your recipe is only a bit of a road map..... Don't be afraid to get off the main road and invent your own recipes. I don't care if you never saw anyone cook. You can cook. It is a hobby that will feed you and free you from the food evils of takeout, fried and greasy food. And if it's the first time you've read a blog here's one of my signature's on covered pies ...... The I love you pie!!! Blessings to You from The Garry Farm in Bowdon GA..............LITLA
