Pine nuts, like all oil seeds, are quite caloric and energetic. They are rich in grass i, mainly unsaturated, and have a good quantity of Omega 6 fatty acids .
They are an excellent source of minerals and vitamins . Like other oil seeds, they contribute to the good functioning of the intestine : it cannot be said properly that they are laxative foods but surely, in the context of a healthy and varied diet, they favor intestinal peristalsis. There are so many good reasons to eat them; however, due to the high caloric and fat content, it should not be abused.
Should pine nuts always be toasted?
When talking about pine nuts, many advise toasting them always before eating them. The reason is to be found in the possible presence of parasites deriving from insect eggs.
Is it true? In reality, there are conflicting opinions on how to eat pine nuts and it is not easy to find scientific evidence - in one or the other sense - that can remove this doubt.
The pine nuts in the kitchen
The pine nuts are suitable for the preparation of sweet and savory dishes. They are used a lot in the preparation of sauces and condiments (for example, they are one of the ingredients of pesto alla genovese), but it is above all in pastry that they give their best. They are in fact present in many sweets of our tradition, for example grandmother's cake and apple strudel.
In reality they can also be used simply to enrich a yogurt, a fresh fruit salad, a refreshing salad or as a snack, as an alternative to almonds, walnuts and other oil seeds. Another idea could be to use pine nuts to give an extra edge to cheese canapés and creams, or as an ingredient in the preparation of biscuits.
Are the pine nuts allergenic?
Food allergies are widespread and there are many substances that can cause them. Directive 2007/68 / EC "establishes a list of food ingredients that must be indicated on the label as they can cause undesirable effects in sensitive people". In this list, the pine nuts do not appear. However, this does not mean that they cannot cause reactions; it is known, in fact, that oilseeds are at the top of the list of allergenic foods.
A recent review, published in the Journal of Asthma and Allergy, lists the pine nuts among the nine oil seeds that most frequently cause reactions. However, he also points out that, in the United States, less than 5% of people allergic to oilseeds have reported a specific pine nut allergy.
Basically, therefore, pine nuts are less allergenic than walnuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts and pistachios. However, according to this review, people allergic to one or more types of other oil seeds should also pay attention to pine nuts for the risk of cross-reactions.
Pine nut biscuits
With pine nuts you can prepare many recipes. These pine nut biscuits are a simple dessert, indicated for a balanced and full of energy breakfast. But be careful not to abuse it, because they are quite caloric.
Ingredients
> 300 g flour 00;
> 100 g sugar;
> 125 g butter;
> 50 g pine nuts;
> 1 whole egg;
> rind of an organic lemon;
> 1 teaspoon baking powder.
Preparation
It is a shortcrust pastry, so it should be processed as such, that is to say by mixing all the dry ingredients first and then, starting from the center, egg and butter. The grated lemon rind and pine nuts should be added at the beginning, together with the dry ingredients. If you use a kneader instead, you have to mix everything together.
When kneading, you get a ball to rest in the fridge for at least half an hour. Roll out the dough and cut out many biscuits with a thickness of one centimeter / one centimeter and a half, using a cookie cutter of the shape you prefer. Bake at 180 degrees for about 15 minutes.
Credit photo jirkaejc / 123rf.com
Credit photo thitarees / 123rf.com
