Pecan Equivalents, Measures, and Substitutions
In most recipes, walnuts are interchangeable with pecans in equal measure, although keep in mind that pecans have a more delicate flavor. Try also substituting peanuts, pistachios, cashews, macadamia nuts, and other nuts for chopped pecans.• 1 pound pecans in the shell = 3 cups shelled
• 1 pound shelled pecans = about 4 cups pecan halves
• 1 pound shelled pecans = about 3-3/4 cups chopped
Pecan Cooking Tips
• Toasting pecans will bring out their aroma and add crunchiness. To toast, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spread pecans on a cookie sheet. Bake about 5 minutes or until lightly browned and aromatic.• Ground into a meal, pecans are used as a wonderful flavoring additive to breads, cookies, and other baked goods. Care must be taken when grinding your own pecan meal at home since the high oil content can turn the meal almost into butter if done too fast and too quickly.
• For a hefty price, you can find pecan oil in gourmet stores which works beautifully in salad dressings.
• Two of the most popular pecan dishes are pecan pie (sometimes called Karo pie after the brand of corn syrup often used as an ingredient) and Southern pralines.
• Pecan balls are a dessert famous in Pittsburgh, Ohio, made by rolling vanilla ice cream in chopped pecans and topping with chocolate syrup.
More about Pecans:
• Pecan Selection and Storage• Pecan Equivalents, Measures, Substitutions, and Cooking Tips
• Pecan Harvesting, Sizes, and Grades
• Pecan History
• Pecan Legend and Lore
• Pecans and Health
• Pecan Recipes
Pecans Photo © 2006 Peggy Trowbridge, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Cookbooks
| • | Pecan Lovers' Cookbook |
| • | The Totally Nuts Cookbook |
| • | The Book of Edible Nuts |
| • | Nuts: Sweet and Savory Recipes from Diamond of California |
| • | More Cookbooks |
