Re: Pine nuts

For those contemplating growing Pinus Pinea for the nuts, bear in mind that
the cones only reach a reasonable size when the tree reaches maturity
-----Original Message-----
From: Albert <bestard@bcn.servicom.es>
To: Mediterranean Discussion Group <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Date: 25 July 1999 20:13
Subject: Pine nuts


>Jan,
>
>Pinus pinea is the only pine that produces edible nuts in the
>Mediterranean. At least, nobody collects or uses nuts from other pine
>species in our area (near Barcelona). They are indeed expensive, but
>widely used for traditional Mediterranean cuisine and bakery. You can
>eat them raw as well. The price is justified by the labour intensive
>process of geting them:
>
>Normally you collect the cones when they are still closed, towards the
>end of summer or early automn. I remember opening them as a child by
>letting them dry naturally sitting in the sun - the cones, not me :-) I
>cannot remember how many days this would take. Once they open, you get
>the nuts, which contain one seed each. You crack each nut, one by one,
>to get the seed inside or you may break it. (Maybe I was being
>particularly clumsy? Anyone in the group knows a faster method?)
>
>We always used the used, open cones to start the fire in winter at the
>fireplace as they burn rapidly and have a nice smell (to me) when
>burning.
>
>
>Albert Bestard
>Collbato (Barcelona)
>Zone 8'5
>
>
>
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