Written By Sam Henselijn
Southern Style Treats. The South is known for its rich recipes and decadent flavors. It’s home-cooking at its best – the kind that, if you close your eyes, will take you back to your grandmother’s kitchen: think velvety cakes, creamy puddings, sweet pies and more. Dig into some southern style treats!
What a lot of these comfort food staples have in common is the use of pecans as the star of the show… Luckily for home chefs all around, the South of the United States is the largest producer of pecans in the world. With so much of it going around, the nuts have become a symbol of Southern cuisine.
National Pecan Day – Southern Style Treats
The nuts are so well loved in the U.S., that they have earned themselves their own holiday: National Pecan Day falls on the 14th of April annually.
This fun holiday was started by the National Pecan Shellers Association in 1966 to honor the workforce behind the cultivation of pecans in the country.
There’s no better way to celebrate the holiday other than enjoying pecans, of course! Whether you choose to eat them straight from the bag as a healthy snack or make more elaborate nutty treats such as pecan pies, pecan pralines, or even a sweet potato casserole with a pecan topping – there’s no wrong way of doing it.
Pecan History
This quintessentially American nut has an impressive fan base,
one that includes founding fathers George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Its documented history dates back to the 16th century, although it’s likely they were around long before that, growing freely.
A member of the hickory family, this succulent nut is the only major tree nut that grows naturally in North America. The word “pecan” is an Algonquian word, meaning “a nut requiring a stone to crack.”
Pecans were a major staple of Native American’s diets. The pecans had to be ground into a powder and then fermented before being turned into a drink.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, American colonists began planting pecan orchards. These days, the U.S produces over 80% of the world’s pecan supply. Pecans are one of the most popular southern style treats.
Health Benefits
Pecans are an excellent source of zinc, phosphorus, copper, iron,
and manganese. In fact, pecan nuts are so healthy their consumption can help reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
According to the USDA, pecans have more flavonoids, a type of antioxidant found mostly in fruit and vegetables, than any other tree nut. Diets high in flavonoids are proven to make one less likely to develop chronic diseases.
Pecans can even boost your brain. The nuts are high in vitamin E, which helps reduce oxidative stress caused by inflammation. Protecting cells and tissues of vital organs like your brain.
Fun Fact
Did you know pecans aren’t technically nuts? They are actually “drupes”. Instead of the hard outer shell of a true nut, a drupe has a fleshy outer layer surrounding a central stone containing the seed – just like cherries, peaches and olives.
Discover L’Orenta Pecans
Cinnamon Pecans
Warming and comforting, these lightly spiced nuts will instantly bring about those happy holiday memories. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy them all year round!
Honey Toasted Pecans
One of our best-seller nuts, for good reason: There’s absolutely
nothing better than crunchy, nutty pecans doused in luscious honey – they are the perfect sweet and salty snack.
Natural Pecan Halves
A staple in the kitchen! Fantastic simply on their own, or as a super versatile recipe ingredient, our pecan halves are peanut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, wheat-free, and contain no preservatives or corn syrup.
Pecan medium pieces
Medium pecan pieces with a buttery flavor and a nice, pleasant crunch. Bring your favorite recipes to life with zero effort: they’re the perfect addition to brownies, pies, cakes, or salads!
This article discusses some different southern style treats. Pecans are a staple in the south. Every October harvesting season begins for Pecans!
Sam Henselijn Author’s Biography – Meet L’Orenta Nuts CEO
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