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Public Forums => San Gabriel Mtns Flora - Fauna => Topic started by: ezzpete on Oct 01, 05, 10:05:51 PM

Title: pine nuts!!
Post by: ezzpete on Oct 01, 05, 10:05:51 PM
today i was walking around on the hillside above 3 levels, and within about 15 minutes, i picked up a whole pocket full of pinion nuts. they're pretty good, and bigger than the ones i've seen in stores. they're all over the place, it's cool!!!

what wasn't cool, is i was also up by what i think people call "helicopter hill", and there was a bunch of new trash dumped there. on huge pile looked like yardsale leftovers. another looked like trash from a party, and some Union Bank of California bank statements belonging to someone named A----- L-----. very uncool!!!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Bud on Oct 02, 05, 08:29:39 AM
Sounds like a sequel to Alice's Restaurant where the found his name on an envelope at the bottom of a hll
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Hillbillies on Oct 02, 05, 08:56:10 AM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: gypsywolf on Oct 02, 05, 09:15:38 AM
Here's a funny little story about pine nuts..

My hubby and I were in Canyon de Chelly a couple of weeks ago. We were on a tour of the canyon when a fellow tourist offered us some pine nuts that she had just purchased from a local.

Me, being a pesto fanatic, couldn't wait to try the locally gathered nuts. We both popped them in our mouths and noticed that they were VERY crunchy and had a very woodsy taste to them. It was almost overpowering

I mentioned how crunchy there were, and the nice lady who gave them to us explained how they were in a shell and we had eaten the whole thing. She asked me if I had noticed how brown they were as opposed to being white. I said I had noticed, but it hadn't registered.

Moral of the story:  Pine nuts definietly taste better shelled!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ezzpete on Oct 02, 05, 12:32:28 PM
they're laying all over the ground under the trees! it looks like the pine cones just exploded 'em all over the place. and they're definatly best shelled.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ForestGal on Oct 02, 05, 04:39:45 PM
today i was walking around on the hillside above 3 levels, and within about 15 minutes, i picked up a whole pocket full of pinion nuts.

Where is 3 levels?  This sounds like an easy way to gather the nuts.  Those cones are so sappy that it's difficult to get the nuts if you have to pry them out.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on Oct 02, 05, 07:20:30 PM
I'll go with you on the nut-collecting. An afternoon?
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: KW on Oct 02, 05, 08:38:02 PM
My dog likes to eat those nuts; I haven't noticed any adverse affects. Do you think it's okay?
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on Oct 02, 05, 09:39:27 PM
They're fine. People and animals have been eating them for endless years. I haven't heard anything bad.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: RobertW on Oct 02, 05, 10:11:49 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Stitches on Oct 03, 05, 06:33:22 AM
I love these nuts.   Always have and used to make my own pesto.   I don't anymore because I can't find reasonable priced basil.   Hillbilly, where do you get your basil?     I miss making and using my pesto.

I have to laugh when I look at the price of a little jar of pine nuts.   The same laugh that I laugh when I see Michael's selling pine cones.

Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on Oct 03, 05, 06:37:18 AM
You can easily grow your own basil in pots. I have quite a few plants. Just plant them in succession so they don't all mature and kick the bucket at once.

I'd be able to go nuts Thursday afternoon.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: WWMtnGal on Oct 03, 05, 07:00:11 AM
I love pine nuts!  They are so expensive in the store but it can be a lot of work gathering enough to make pesto with them. 
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Hillbillies on Oct 03, 05, 07:55:01 AM
You can easily grow your own basil in pots. I have quite a few plants. Just plant them in succession so they don't all mature and kick the bucket at once.

I'd be able to go nuts Thursday afternoon.

We have grown basil this way too.  Right now my herb garden is pretty bare.  All I have is some oregano and tarragon.

To save a few bucks, you can also make pesto with walnuts. 
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: WWMtnGal on Oct 03, 05, 07:57:32 AM
Now that sounds wonderful Hillbilly, I have never tried that but a good sounding alternative!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Wrightwood on Oct 03, 05, 08:11:21 AM
A few years back while doing some family research I found that pine nuts have a reputation as an aphrodisiac.

Galen, a Greek of the second century AD, preached that a mixture of pine nuts, honey and almonds taken before bedtime three consecutive evenings might produce desirable effects and stimulation of the libido!

100g pine nuts contain 31g protein, the highest of all the nuts and seeds.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: 2CatMama on Oct 03, 05, 08:28:12 AM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Stitches on Oct 03, 05, 08:58:12 AM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Hillbillies on Oct 03, 05, 09:14:55 AM
One srping we bought basil to transplant.  I planted them in with my tomato bed.  They took off like weeds!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ForestGal on Oct 03, 05, 12:07:01 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ForestGal on Oct 03, 05, 12:11:09 PM
100g pine nuts contain 31g protein, the highest of all the nuts and seeds.

Did your info source say how many grams of fat go along with those 31 grams of protein? 
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Wrightwood on Oct 03, 05, 01:10:12 PM
No

Did your info source say how many grams of fat go along with those 31 grams of protein?
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on Oct 03, 05, 02:05:42 PM
"A few years back while doing some family research I found that pine nuts have a reputation as an aphrodisiac."

ForestGal, we'd better take a lot of bags! I'm stocking up for myself & Mr. Nolena!  :D
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Bud on Oct 03, 05, 02:27:10 PM
I remember walking to school every morning and picking up pine cones and eating the nuts. The taste is different from anything I've ever tasted but sooooooo good.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ForestGal on Oct 03, 05, 02:36:12 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Goldie on Oct 03, 05, 02:39:26 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: WWMtnGal on Oct 03, 05, 03:23:05 PM
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Now that is funny!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Hillbillies on Oct 03, 05, 05:53:51 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ForestGal on Oct 03, 05, 06:18:19 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Hillbillies on Oct 03, 05, 06:42:11 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Bud on Oct 03, 05, 06:44:01 PM
That's gotta be the worst, not to have the nuts to make peso
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Chesslike on Oct 03, 05, 08:46:47 PM
That's gotta be the worst, not to have the nuts to make peso

And here I thought it was Mexico's mismanagement of their oil resources that was causing the Peso to fall against the dollar, and all along it was just because they did not have the nuts. ;D
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: gypsywolf on Oct 03, 05, 09:08:08 PM
HeeHeeHee!! BostonBob that was great!!

A pesto tip for those of you that are watching your saturated fats and/or cholesterol..sometimes I leave out the cheese and it is still YUMMY!!!!!

Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Hillbillies on Oct 03, 05, 09:37:45 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ForestGal on Oct 03, 05, 10:01:47 PM
Don't worry, Hillbilly - I appreciate the pesto recipe!  I don't give a rat's behind about the NFL - FIGHT ON TROJANS USC!!!!!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: WWMtnGal on Oct 04, 05, 04:51:41 PM
Thank you Hillbilly for the recipe!  I would love for you to share others here!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Hillbillies on Oct 05, 05, 12:37:24 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: WWMtnGal on Oct 05, 05, 01:01:29 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on Oct 05, 05, 01:39:41 PM
"serenity now....serenity now... "

...patience, now!.....patience, NOW!!!....

I made a nice pesto last night with garlic & pine nuts & basil. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!  :2thumbsup:
Gotta go get pine nuts tomorrow.  :)
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ezzpete on Oct 05, 05, 06:27:01 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on Oct 05, 05, 10:06:51 PM
Nah. Those were from the store.
We're going collecting at 1:00 tomorrow. Meet at helicopter hill about 1:10.

Grazing is us.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on Oct 06, 05, 03:51:08 PM
O. K. Those puppies are everywhere.
The reddish ones seem to be the freshest.
I've had luck shelling them with a garlic press, a couple at a time.
Gotta go pick up some more!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ForestGal on Oct 06, 05, 05:01:08 PM
The garlic press is a good idea - I didn't think of that.
I tried the nutcracker first, and the nuts are too small to use that.  Next I got a pair of pliers - that works, but it's hard not to crush the nut in the process.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on Oct 06, 05, 07:01:51 PM
O. K. Here's a nice little site I found.

http://www.pinenut.com/trixie.htm

Shelling Your Nuts
Needed:  Two terry cloth towels and a rolling pin
1. Lay the soft-shelled pine nuts between the towels and roll firmly.
2. I have read, but not perfected the method of rolling with such persuasion that the shells stick to the terry cloth and pull away with the towel. Anyone with this degree of successes has perfected this method commonly used by Farming wives in the Southwest.

Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: storm on Oct 09, 05, 03:44:34 PM
yes, you do have to remove the thin shell.  i use my teeth--like shelling sunflower seeds--as i eat them. 

one of the first things i did upon coming to wrightwood is collect about a gallon of them.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: RNgiveTLC on Oct 10, 05, 03:08:56 PM
Ok so I am a Tad dumb about this. Where exactly is a pine nut in a pine cone?

TY Donna
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ezzpete on Oct 11, 05, 07:18:15 PM
inside all the little openings.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: WWMtnGal on Oct 11, 05, 07:57:56 PM
Ok so I am a Tad dumb about this. Where exactly is a pine nut in a pine cone?

TY Donna

Don't feel bad and no you are not dumb!  I have found that the pine nut from the Pinon Pine tree has really great pine nuts (they are bigger than the ones in my yard).  They are located in the openings of the pine cone.  You might be seeing them in your yard right now and not know what they are, but they are great roasted and thrown in salads, pesto etc.

Try them, you will like them!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Stitches on Oct 11, 05, 08:48:28 PM
I had no idea either until we moved up here.    The first fall I was here I was outside picking up pinecones after a windy day.   I picked up a fresh fallen one and accidentally dropped it and about 50 pine nuts fell of out of it.   I looked at it closer and saw where there were openings between the pinecone "leaves", I could still see some of the pine nuts with their leaflike attachments.   

Now I'll go out there after a windy day and pick up pinecones and sit outside and tap them onto a clean table cloth and gather my nuts that way.   I'll also pick them up off the ground.

Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ForestGal on Oct 11, 05, 10:25:21 PM
The pinon pine nuts that ezzpete was referring to when he started this topic, don't have the little"wings" on them.  They are the largest nuts of all the pines, I think,  and therefore the easiest to gather, if you are in the right place.  The cones from those trees are small and extremely sappy, but the nuts fall all over the ground and are easy to pick up.  Yummy!!!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: 2CatMama on Oct 12, 05, 06:00:49 AM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Bud on Oct 12, 05, 07:12:03 AM
That's the funny thing about humans. We may take away their pine nuts but give them back peanuts.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Hillbillies on Oct 12, 05, 09:56:04 AM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: 2CatMama on Oct 13, 05, 11:07:11 PM
I'm thinking back a couple of winters now to when my sister & bro-in-law still had their cabin.  We were up in November and commenting on how it was going to be a cold, tough winter.  All the pine cones we found had been stripped down to the stemmy part, and I thought that meant the animals and birds knew a tough winter was coming.  Now I just think my sister's neighbors up on Eagle were pesto lovers.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Adrienne on Oct 17, 05, 06:40:32 AM
Now I understand why my dog goes "nuts" tearing pine cones apart.
Not only is there a treat in them, but an aphrodisiac treat!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on Oct 18, 05, 06:41:47 AM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nick on Nov 15, 05, 01:15:43 PM
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: ezzpete on Nov 23, 05, 01:05:01 PM
For those of you still collecting pine nuts there is a plethora of pine nuts on the Country Club's  (country club ??..How about The Twin Lakes Club) tennis courts. They are all over and easy for the pickin.

you could use a broom to collet them.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Hillbillies on Nov 23, 05, 06:09:57 PM
I am finding that a lot of the pine nuts on the ground are already rotten.
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on Nov 23, 05, 06:41:14 PM
Yeah, they certainly taste that way. After about the 50th one I ate, I wasn't feeling so good.  :P
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Gaia on Dec 08, 05, 11:40:34 AM
Well, silly me. I thought this thread would be about people who are nuts about pines.
Title: Pine Nuts as Appetite Suppressors
Post by: Chesslike on May 08, 06, 09:31:13 PM
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=40977
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on May 09, 06, 06:30:38 AM
Back to collecting!  :2thumbsup:
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: WWMtnGal on May 09, 06, 07:30:24 AM
I just love pine nuts!  I want to go!
Title: Re: pine nuts!!
Post by: Nolena on May 09, 06, 01:02:04 PM
O. K.
What's a good day?