What exactly are pinenuts?

Question

I know it's little green things that turn up on the odd salad. But, how and where do they grow and what are they commonly eaten with?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Pine nuts are the edible seeds of pine trees (family Pinaceae, genus Pinus). About 20 species of pine produce seeds large enough to be worth harvesting; in other pines the seeds are also edible, but are too small to be of value as a human food.
In North America the main species are three of the pinyon pines, Colorado Pinyon (Pinus edulis), Single-leaf Pinyon (Pinus monophylla) and Mexican Pinyon (Pinus cembroides).
Pine nuts contain about 31 grams of protein per 100 grams of nuts, the highest of any nut or seed. Pine nuts have been eaten in Europe and Asia since the Paleolithic period. They are also a source of dietary fibre. Pine nuts are an essential component of pesto, and are frequently added to meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. They are in particular used in the Cuisine of southwestern France, in dishes such as the salade landaise. They are also used in chocolates and desserts such as baklava.
Interesting pictures on the Wikipedia web site.

Answer 2

Pinenuts are the little nuts that come out of pinecones. Other than salad, I've only heard of them being used in some stir-fry. You can also eat them plain, they are kind of sweet.

Answer 3

what are pine nuts????? Oh my my my.... pinenuts are found inside a pine cone which comes down from the pine tree once its "bloomed". I used to kick the pine cone around so that pine nuts would come out, get a BIG rock, break the shell and eat them.... they are just soooo good!!!!! I'm italian by the way and that was one of our childhood past times......

Answer 4

AKA pignolias. They are the seedlings found in pine cones. Used to collect them as a kid growing up in the mountains and surrounded by pine trees. They have a hard shell around them and are a pain in the butt to get off, but the inner nut is worthwhile!

Answer 5

The North American edible pine nut is the seed of the Pinyon Pine, Pinus edulis.

there are some recipes here: http://www.nearctica.com/family/eatnat/plants/pinyon.htm

Answer 6

I have never seen green pine nuts before, maybe for talking about capers. Pine nuts are beige and are kind of triangular shaped. Capers are different sizes round shaped and are small buds that are sun dried and then are brined / pickeled.

Answer 7

I am with Mr.Zwink about the pinenuts.

Pinenuts are usually added to weird stuff like couscous. A popular way to cook with them is toasted - toast them and then add them to a dish for added crunch.

Answer 8

i think theyre the seeds from certain pinetrees.
they grow inside a pinecone (or what ever its called in english)

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2122136/2/istockphoto_2122136_one_little_pinecone.jpg

Answer 9

they are from pinecones