The NuttyBlog : Nutty News and Updates from JW Renfroe Pecan Co

Nuts: traditionally, they’re part of many of the snacks we eat, and they’re an integral ingredient in many cookies, breads and other baked goods. In recent years, nuts have also been used to garnish salads, add protein and flavor to vegetable side dishes, and are a featured part of stir-fries and other ethnic dishes.

According to Hersheys.com, nuts have been, and continue to be, a staple food for many world cultures. They’re known as tree nuts and include almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts (also called filberts), macadamia nuts, pistachios and pine nuts. Peanuts, although actually legumes, often are grouped in with tree nuts and may be eaten raw or prepared in dishes, just like tree nuts, the Web site explained.

Nuts have also come into the spotlight in recent years because of their nutritional benefits, which are listed in general nutrition and health information on the Hershey.com Web site. Nuts are part of the U.S. Food Guide Pyramid, in the “Meats, Poultry, Fish, Beans Eggs and Nut group,” and one-third cup of nuts may be substituted for a one-ounce serving of cooked lean meat. Nuts are loaded with folic acid and vitamins E and B6, and minerals magnesium, copper, zinc, selenium and potassium. Although nuts are full of fat, that fat is unsaturated and may actually decrease levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. A storehouse of vitamins, minerals, unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, nuts have been included in the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which recommends four to five servings of nuts a week to lower cholesterol and high blood pressure. (read more)

Some scientists are beginning to think that eating certain fruits and nuts may delay old-age problems like Alzheimer’s disease. (read more)

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2¼ cups white sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Grease and flour two 8×4″ pans. Preheat oven to 325º. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake for 40-60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

Penn State clinical research suggests walnuts, rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential omega-3 fatty acid, are beneficial to the skeletal system by decreasing the breakdown of bone. (link)

Yes. If you are buying nuts for a business, we can sell to you in 25-30 pound case lots, depending on the nut. We offer pecan halves, pieces or meal, cashews, whole, sliced or slivered almonds, english or black walnuts, pistachios, peanuts and many more.