Pistachio is the seed of the pistachio plant known by the botanical name of pistacia vera . This plant is a tree that was already known and cultivated in prehistoric times.
Its cradle of origin is the Middle East although currently its diffusion sees it cultivated all over the world. In Italy it is known as a prized food and there are some areas of Italy that are renowned for their delicious pistachio production.
The use of pistachio
The pistachio as we have said is a seed that is used mainly as a food and the cooking recipes that see it as the protagonist are the most disparate.
The pistachio is in fact suitable for flavoring first and second courses, side dishes, cakes, spoon desserts, ice creams and many other dishes. Used as a touch of refinement, it gives the dishes something extra that does not make them forget our guests.
Pistachio is usually deprived of its shell and used naturally or roasted and salted . Instead it is very difficult to find fresh natural pistachios except in the lands of Sicily where it is most cultivated.
Pistachio butter and oil
From the pistachio seed we can also obtain the pistachio butter which is extracted from the seeds in a similar way to what happens for olive oil.
From cold grinding we mechanically extract the oil contained in the seed from the rest of the compound and this without the use of synthetic chemicals or high extraction temperatures which would alter the composition. The pistachio butter or oil is therefore a product obtained from fresh pistachio seeds .
However, this liquid or creamy pistachio compound, depending on the extraction method, has the main characteristic of having a high percentage of good vegetable fats .
In fact, pistachio butter is rich in essential fatty acids such as the omega 3 and 6 that our body needs to maintain the integrity of the membranes. It also contains tocopherols, beta-carotene and lutein, all indicated for skin health.
Its appearance has an intense green color with a good consistency and a typical smell of pistachio. The taste is soft, slightly fruity and can have a roasting aroma. When the oil is extracted only it is very clear.
Properties of pistachio butter
The specific properties of pistachio butter are to be an excellent antioxidant, an excellent antibacterial and a regenerating tissue from the internal membranes of the body to the external skin epidermis.
Furthermore, pistachio butter has all the properties of pistachio, therefore it is able to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases thanks to its ability to regulate cholesterol circulating in the blood.
The composition of the pistachio sees in its phytocomplex the presence of isoflavones, polyphenols and organic acids that have a strong antioxidant power capable of fighting and reducing the attack of free radicals responsible for the cellular aging of our body.
The pistachio also has anti-inflammatory properties aimed at the resolution of those cases that originate from bacterial or fungal causes.
Finally, the pistachio is an excellent tonic of the nervous system thanks to the presence of vitamin A and minerals such as phosphorus and iron which, in combination, are able to sustain the functionality of the nervous system.
At a nutritional level, pistachio is a good remineralizer thanks to the rich presence of calcium, zinc, potassium, manganese, fluorine, copper and magnesium. It also contains a good presence of vitamins such as C, E and those of group B (B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6).
Finally, the presence of amino acids is good as well as the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Use of pistachio butter
Pistachio butter is used in the kitchen to prepare sauces and creams both as a condiment for first courses and for various side dishes and sauces.
In addition to cooking, pistachio butter is used mainly in the Middle East as a natural cosmetic .
In fact, this pistachio extract has an excellent cosmetic use that softens the skin, nourishing and protecting it. The antibacterial and antioxidant action of the pistachio is therefore specific precisely in order to have excellent results for the health of our skin .
In case of dryness, sensitive skin, redness the topical application of this pistachio butter is able to give health to the epidermis moisturizing and nourishing it. Oral supplementation and therefore the intake of pistachio butter as a natural supplement also allows the skin to be nourished and moisturized from within.
Pistachio butter is also indicated for compresses on the hair when they are dry, fragile and in particular for long hair that needs more nourishment.
Finally it is capable of protecting the skin from external aggressions such as smog, sunlight and even chemicals such as chlorine in swimming pools. It is therefore excellent to apply this pistachio butter to avoid skin problems.
Recipe in the kitchen: pistachio butter
Ingredients
> 200 g of fresh pistachios
> taste of salt
Preparation
The preparation of pistachio butter is very easy to do even at home . The hardest part will be the purchase of fresh, unroasted or salted pistachios . If the search for fresh pistachios is unsuccessful we can always use toasted and salted pistachios. In this case we will leave the pistachios to soak with water at room temperature for 30 minutes.
The salt will then be dissolved in the water and we will be able to use the pistachios after having dried them with a clean cloth. The pistachios must therefore be free of the cuticle and if they are not, a light scalding in the pan will be enough to clean them up.
At this point you need to have a spice grinder or coffee grinder that is able to chop the pistachios so finely that you can let the fat out and turn them into butter.
Even the use of the immersion blender can give good results if the power is sufficient. Once the pistachios have been blended, we will have a creamy mixture similar to butter that can be kept in a clean jar with an airtight seal.
The presence of a strong oily percentage will help the conservation that can be kept up to a few weeks even outside the refrigerator. However, always remember to note the smell to verify that it is not altered with time.
