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FOOD FOR THOUGHT - July 26, 2006
Mark R. Vogel - Epicure1@optonline.net - Archive of other articles by Mark Vogel
A Nut from America
The pecan is the only major tree nut indigenous to the Americas. Its name comes from the Algonquin Indians. A member of the hickory family, it originated in the southern and central United States and Mexico. Records indicate that Native Americans were utilizing it for food and cultivating it as early as the 1500’s.
Spanish colonists began cultivating pecans in Mexico circa 1700. American colonists got on the pecan bandwagon in the 1770’s with such noted figures as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson including them in their gardens. During this time pecans were also being exported to Europe and the West Indies, (what we now refer to as the islands of the Caribbean). New Orleans, because of its prime location at the mouth of the Mississippi, became a key city in the distribution of pecans, and many other commodities as well.
The propagation and eventual commercial success of the pecan was spearheaded by the work of an African-American slave in Louisiana named Antoine. In 1846 Antoine develop a technique for grafting superior strains of pecans onto existing seedlings. Antoine’s clone won an award at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876 and was eponymously named “Centennial.” His efforts laid the groundwork for successful cultivation of higher quality pecans and the economic rewards that followed.
Pecans have a smooth tan shell and are approximately one inch in length. Choose specimens with unblemished and uncracked shells that do not rattle when shaken. They are available year round but are at their best in autumn. Unshelled pecans can be stored up to three months. Shelled pecans can also last three months but must be refrigerated.
Pecans are 70% fat but 87% of that fat is unsaturated. Of the unsaturated fat, 62% is monosaturated and 25% is polyunsaturated. Unsaturated fats are purported to lower cholesterol and have other healthy properties as well. Pecans contain a wide variety of minerals, B vitamins, Vitamin E, and are a good source of fiber. Of course the National Pecan Shellers Association will tell you that in addition to lowering cholesterol, pecans can reduce the risk of stroke and sudden cardiac death, prevent type II diabetes, improve prostate health and help with weight loss. Not that these claims are completely baseless but let’s face it, they want to sell pecans. So consider the source before going nuts.
PECAN PIE
For the crust:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/8 cup sugar
1 1/2 sticks cold salted butter
Ice water as needed
For the filling:
1 cup chopped pecans
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 stick of salted butter, melted
1 tablespoon flour
Pinch of salt
Add the flour and sugar to a food processor and then add the butter, one chunk at a time, and pulse just enough to incorporate it into the dough. A coarse meal is the target consistency. Add the water in tablespoon increments, again just pulsing the processor enough to incorporate it until a dough is formed. Scoop it out onto a floured board and lightly knead it for about a minute. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap and allow it to rest in the fridge for at least an hour.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. After the dough has rested, roll it out on a floured board to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Line the plate with the dough. Mix all of the ingredients for the filling in a bowl until just incorporated. Pour the filling into the pie and bake for 50 minutes or until the filling sets. If you like you can cover the pie with aluminum foil to prevent the top from over-browning.
PECAN CRUSTED SALMON
1 cup chopped pecans
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Two 8-oz. salmon fillets
Salted butter as needed
Mix the chopped pecans with the garlic, paprika, salt and pepper. Melt some of the butter and brush the salmon fillets with it on each side. Coat both sides of the salmon fillets with the pecan mixture. Heat the remaining butter in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the salmon on each side until golden brown. For thicker fillets you may need to finish them in the oven. Thus you will need to employ an oven-proof skillet. After sautéing each side place the skillet into a preheated 400 degree oven until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 135-140 degrees.
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