Each year, February 26 is dedicated to the pistachio nut, which we believe punches way above its weight when it comes to taste and nutrition! Pistachio lovers can rejoice as they eat their favorite nut all day long. Never had pistachios? You’re missing out! So why not take advantage of this opportunity to go out, buy some and share them with someone who loves them. In this article, you’ll find fun facts about pistachios, their health benefits and fun recipes to try them out.
Five fun facts about pistachios
- Did you know that there is an annual event in the United States that allows all pistachio lovers to celebrate all day long with food stands and delicious sweet and savory treats to eat.
- Where does the green come from? Pistachios are a “colored” nut, with their green and purple hues due to antioxidants.
- One of the oldest flowering nut trees, humans have been eating pistachios for at least 9,000 years.
- Among its “kissing cousins,” pistachios are related to the mango and the spice sumac.
- It was said that the Queen of Sheba herself loved these green little delicacies, which were considered a symbol of happiness.
Why are pistachios good for you?
Let us make a healthy tip.
Pistachios may be small, but they have powerful nutritional properties. Pistachios have a glucose and insulin-lowering effect, which means they can help you lower blood sugar levels. And, in fact, this has been indicated in various studies. Do you like to work out? Well, pistachios can be your favorite! Being rich in protein, pistachios can help in muscle maintenance, making it an ideal pre-workout snack. Also, thanks to their monounsaturated fat content, in other words healthy fats, pistachios can help keep your heart healthy. Don’t forget that 49 together make a healthy fist!
Can pistachios go bad?
The quick answer is yes, they can! Pistachios contain oil and fat, which means they can go rancid or stale. But with proper storage, they can potentially keep for about six months at room temperature and up to a year in the refrigerator or freezer. Below are some tips for keeping not only pistachios but your other nuts fresh.
- Use airtight jars to store your nuts.
- It is best to keep nuts in the fridge (in a jar) during the summer.
- Keep them out of direct sunlight and make sure they are always in a dry place.
- To make them last longer, you can add a slice of orange or lemon peel to them, which will act as a natural preservative.
- Keep them away from other strong-tasting foods like onions and garlic, as they can absorb their flavour.
- Whole, raw nuts and seeds stay fresh for longer.
- Shelled nuts have a shorter shelf life than nuts in their shells.
Remember, these are only guidelines, as many factors, including where you live, can impact the shelf life of nuts!
Dishes with pistachios
Because of their varied flavours, pistachios can be used to make delicious bakes and main dishes. But today we are going to look at some delicious bakes that you can take with you when you travel.
Pistachio, Date and Coconut Tart
Recipe: Pistachio, Date and Coconut Tart
It is perfect as a dessert or breakfast dish! While the preparation of this raw tart base with oats, nuts and dates couldn’t be easier, remember that it will take 3 hours to cook, but it’s worth the wait to enjoy with friends! Quick tip! You can substitute half of the oats with some nuts for extra texture, vary the nuts depending on what you have on hand. We promise you won’t regret making this once you taste it!
Dry Fruit Barfi
Dry Fruit Barfi Recipe
This easy recipe is packed with tasty ingredients, including yummy pistachios and macadamias. Thanks to the compact little squares, we guarantee these little bars are great to take with you on excursions and will become your favourite treat in no time! However, if you’re more of a couch potato, they’re also great to enjoy at home.
Visit our healthy recipes for more ideas.
