April 14th is National Pecan Day #NationalPecanDay a #Holiday I wouldn’t mind celebrating. What about you? I wish my dad was here because he used to walk around Town picking up Pecans that had fallen off the Tees.
I know enough people with Pecan Trees we could visit for Pecans if someone would like to come with me. This would allow me to #execise and get my steps in for the day. Then we could come home and make Pecan Pie Muffins which I have a recipe for below.
Join me today as we celebrate April 14th which is National Pecan Day. Pecan is a uniquely American Nut whose fan base counts the likes of founding fathers including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Let’s take the time to thank them today for Pecans.
Whether the Pecan is a garnish on a Salad or a stand-alone snack, Caramelized or roasted, sweet or savory Pecans never fail to deliver on the enthralling taste and the ultimate nutrient density. Now, I have a question for you.
Did you know, America is credited for 75% of the world’s total Pecan production? National Pecan Day was established by the National Pecan Shellers Association in 1966 to recognize and honor the workforce behind the cultivation of Pecans in America.
On National Pecan Day, America celebrates the only Nut the Pecan which is native to its land. I wanted to let you know Pecans are a much-celebrated Nut of America. Pecans are used in deserts, including Ice Creams, and snacks and so much more.
Centuries before European colonization, Pecans were cultivated, processed, and consumed in America by Native people. The word ‘Pecan’ is derived from the word ‘Pacane,’ used by the Algonquin tribe to describe a Nut that needs a stone to crack open. The tribes valued Pecan for its nutrition density, availability, ease of consumption, and fulfilling taste.
In the late 17th Century, the Native Nut caught the eye of Spanish Colonists, who began cultivating large Pecan Orchards in the vicinity. But it wasn’t until the 18th Century that the commercialization of Pecans picked up the pace in the United States. By 1802, formal selling routes were established, and Pecan export had commenced.
In 1882, a hybrid Fruit via the budding of Pecan and an adjacent Wild Plant was created by Abner Landrum, a cultivator from South Carolina. This resultant Nut was considered to be an upgraded version of Pecan.
Although the hybrid seeds of Abner got lost in time, in 1876, the process of grafting was recreated by Antoine, a Slave from Louisiana. Antoine presented his discovery at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1976 and thus began farming a new and improved variety of Pecans throughout the Country.
Today, America is responsible for three quarters of Pecan production in the world. From the Summer lanes of Texas to the Sunny pavements of California, Pecan cultivation is a year-long endeavor for thousands of American farmworkers.
In 1996, the National Pecan Shellers Association members came together to establish April 14th as National Pecan Day. The objective of National Pecan Day is to celebrate the Earthly wonders of the Pecan and to uplift the hardworking members of the industry who make the sustainable farming of Pecans possible.
National Pecan Day Activities
- Take the opportunity today to indulge in the versatile offering of the Pecan by planning your menu around it. Start the day with fluffy Pecan Pancakes, then have Butter Pecan Chicken for lunch. For a midday snack, enjoy a couple of Candied Pecans, and end your day with Pecan-Crusted Salmon and for dessert have Pecan Pie, Chocolate Almond Ice Cream or Butter Pecan Ice Cream Charlie said. Which was his pa’s my Dads favorite Ice Cream. Do you like Butter Pecan Ice Cream? I do but I also love Chocolate Pecan Ice Cream.
- Get into the kitchen with the kids and make Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pecans today.
- From Cookies to Pies, Pecans go well with any baking dish. For National Pecan Day, host a bakeoff with your friends and family and remind them ever dish should feature Pecans.
- If you have the means and the opportunity today take the time to plant a Pecan Tree in your backyard. Pecans are non-fuss Plants that don’t require a Liver and a half to take sapling. Plant the seeds today, so you can reap the Pecans tomorrow.
Facts About Pecans
- Did you know Pecans are home to 19 different vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium.
- Pecan Oil, processed from Pecans, is recommended for those with a risk of heart disease.
- Did you know Pecans have the official certification of the American Heart Association for being a ‘Heart-Healthy Food.’
- A Pecan Tree grows to over 150 feet tall and lives for over 300 years.
- Astronauts carried Pecans to the Moon in their Apollo Space mission twice.
Why People Love National Pecan Day
The sweet and crunchy texture of a Pecan elevates any recipe it touches. including Candies, Cookies, Bread, Pie, Salads, or Ice Cream.
It’s time we honor the contribution of Pecans in our kitchen and celebrate National Pecan Day with joy and excitement.
Pecans are the O.G. American Nut but Cashew Nuts came to America from Brazil and the California Almonds are actually a gift of Spain. Pecan is the singular Nut native to America. Pecans were widely consumed by Native Americans before European Colonization.
The American Pecan industry is worth over $3.5 billion. Just 15 States of the U.S. produce more than 75% of Pecan of the world. The Pecan Trees are responsible for the livelihoods of thousands of families and a flourishing U.S. economy.
Recipe for Peacan Pie Muffins
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Total Time: 40 mins
Servings: 9 Yield: 18 mini muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ⅔ cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 18 mini muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
- Stir brown sugar, flour, and pecans together in a medium bowl. Beat butter and eggs together in a separate bowl until smooth; stir into flour mixture until just combined. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups about 2/3 full.
- Bake Pecan Pie Muffins in the preheated oven until tops spring back when touched, about 20 to 25 minutes; cool on wire racks.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
