Freshness tips

Maintaining that wonderful flavor of your orchard-fresh pecans is easy! If properly handled and stored, fresh pecans can be enjoyed for many months after harvest. Improperly stored pecan meats will darken in color and lose their fresh flavor. You can keep your Hauani Creek Pecans at peak flavor by storing them in the refrigerator for up to nine months or in the freezer for up to two years. The color will remain golden and the taste will be fresh and vibrant. Wise pecan lovers make a habit of storing their freshly shelled pecans in airtight freezer containers and thawing some out as they are needed. They can even be thawed and refrozen without loss of flavor or texture. Pecans in their shells can be stored in a cool, dry place for six to twelve months.

Health benefits of America’s native nut

Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals – including vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, several B vitamins and zinc. One ounce of pecans (about 20 halves) provides 10 percent of the recommended Daily Value for fiber. Pecans are also a natural, high-quality source of protein that contain very few carbohydrates and no cholesterol. Pecans are also naturally sodium-free, making them an excellent choice for those on a salt- or sodium-restricted diet.

Pecans have less than 10% saturated fat, and pecans are high in healthy fatty acids and fiber, both of which have been linked to lower cholesterol. In fact, studies have shown that including pecans in your diet can help lower LDL "bad" cholesterol. Pecans are number one for antioxidants among tree nuts and they are naturally gluten free.

This Seasons featured recipe Caramel Pecan Sheet Cake!

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 cup unsalted butter

  • 1 cup water

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups sugar

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger

  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Caramel Frosting (Makes about 2 cups)

  • 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (for topping)

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter

  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/2 cup sour cream

  • 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray 15x10-inch pan with baking spray. In a medium saucepan, bring butter and water to a boil. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger. Add hot butter mixture to flour mixture; bear with mixer at low speed until moistened. Add sour cream, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until lightly browned. 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 20 min.

In a large heavy saucepan, bring butter, brown sugar and salt to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; slowly stir in sour cream. Return to just a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. beating with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Use immediately as caramel will thicken as it cools.

Recipes from Frances Savage’s kitchen