Pecan

Noix de pécan

What it is

A native North American nut that indigenous peoples gathered long before any orchard existed — the word is Algonquian, for a nut requiring a stone to crack. Jefferson planted them at Monticello and sent trees to Washington.

In the kitchen

Sweeter and softer than a walnut, with none of its bitterness. They are not interchangeable in baking despite the resemblance.

Goes with

Maple syrup Butter Vanilla Dark chocolate Honey Cream Cinnamon Coffee

Also used with

Candy cap Maple butter Maple sugar Muscovado Pecan truffle Sorghum syrup

In season alongside

Hazelnut Piedmont hazelnut Sidr honey Ajvar Japanese tilefish (amadai) American lobster

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