In Southeastern Utah, picking pine nuts is reportedly a Navajo tradition; they harvest the nuts by hand soon after they fall to the ground. Many Utah Indian tribes historically used pine nuts to make a fl our that they would mix with dried berries and store as an important winter food staple.
Full Answer
Where can I find pinyon pine nuts in Utah?
Gathering pinyon pine nuts is a wonderful way to experience the fall bounty of Great Basin National Park. The singleaf pinyon, Pinus monophylla, is an abundant tree found in mixed stands with Utah juniper between 6,000 and 9,000 feet.
How to harvest pine nuts from trees?
Put a big tarp under the pine tree. Then shake the branches of the pine tree really hard. This will make the remaining pine nuts (the ones which haven’t been eaten by critters yet) fall out of the cones and land on your tarp. Even if you harvest your pine nuts on time, there will still be a lot of bad pine nuts.
What kind of pine trees grow in Utah?
The singleaf pinyon, Pinus monophylla, is an abundant tree found in mixed stands with Utah juniper between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. It is the only species of pine on the continent with single needles.
Where can I find information on pinon pine nut harvest regions?
PinonNuts.org - Information on Pinon Pine Nut Harvest Regions in the Western United States. Pinyon trees are the dominant overstory species on more than 36 million acres of land in the southwestern United States.
Where can I harvest pine nuts in Utah?
On Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in Utah, almost the entire pine nut crop comes from the Indian Peaks range, which parallels the state's western border with Nevada, northwest of Cedar City.
What time of year do you harvest pine nuts?
If you are serious about harvesting your own pine nuts, you should scout out some pine trees in early summer. Pine cones are usually ready for harvesting from August to September, depending on where you live.
Where do you harvest pine nuts?
0:052:17How to harvest pine nuts in the forest - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're just a little bit off the trail under all these pine trees and I collected a bunch of theseMoreWe're just a little bit off the trail under all these pine trees and I collected a bunch of these light brown slightly greenish pinecones.
Can you collect your own pine nuts?
Harvesting starts with pulling the cones from the trees. This can be done with a long pole with a hook at the end, which hooks around the cone and knocks it to the ground. Cones can also be removed by shaking the tree trunks with a machine. The cones are then sun dried.
Is there a pine nut shortage 2021?
Since 2019, China's pine nut market has reportedly experienced a gap in production versus demand. China's pine nut output has reached 75,000 tons in 2021, but market demand stands at 110,000 tons, meaning that supply is running short of demand by over 30%.
Can you eat raw pine nuts?
Pine nuts are commonly used in pesto due to their buttery taste. They also can be added to various dishes. They are delicious raw and can be easy to carry with you as a snack. You can roast pine nuts by baking them in the oven or toasting them on the stove.
Why is pine nuts so expensive?
Pine nuts are one of the more expensive nuts on the market because of the time required to grow the nuts and the effort to harvest the seeds from their protective encasement.
What pine trees have edible nuts?
In the United States, pine nuts that are sold commercially usually come from pinyon pine (Pinus edulis), which is native the southwestern United States.
How do you get pine nuts out of the shell?
You can directly place the soft-shelled pine nuts between the terry cloth towels and using the rolling pin, roll firmly and then the shells will come off the nuts and stick to the towels. So you can just pull the towel, then the shells will be pulled away with the towel and the kernels are left.
Can you get pine nuts from any pine cone?
Pine nuts come from pine cones. Only 20 varieties of pine tree worldwide produce cones with large enough pine nuts for harvesting. Pinyon Pines, Pinus edulis (which only grow between 6,000 and 9,000 foot altitudes), offer the finest pine nuts in North America.
Can I forage pine nuts?
Pine nuts. Open pine cones can be shaken to dislodge the pine nuts from inside. Pine cones that are closed can be placed near a fire for a few days. They can be eaten raw but are usually roasted or toasted.
How common is pine nut syndrome?
Cases of pine mouth are not common, however since 2009 there appears to have been a rise in numbers internationally with several hundred complaints lodged with agencies across countries including France, the UK and USA.
How long do you wait to harvest pine nuts from a pine cone?
If you leave your bag in a warm, dry, sunny location, the cones will release the nuts on their own. This saves time when you are harvesting pine nuts from pine cones. Wait a few days or even ...
Where do pine nuts come from?
Pine nuts come from pinyon pine trees. These pines are native to the United States, although other pines with edible pine nuts are native to Europe and Asia, like the European stone pine and the Asian Korean pine. Pine nuts are the smallest and the fanciest of all nuts. The taste is sweet and subtle. If you have a pinyon pine tree in your backyard, ...
What do pine cones indicate?
First, you’ll need pine trees with low branches containing both opened and unopened pine cones on them. The opened pine cones indicate that the pine nuts are ripe, but you don’t want these cones when it comes to pine nut harvesting; they have already released their nuts. The nuts were, most likely, eaten up by animals and birds.
What is the smallest nut?
Pine nuts are the smallest and the fanciest of all nuts. The taste is sweet and subtle. If you have a pinyon pine tree in your backyard, you can start harvesting pine nuts from pine cones too.
Can you grow pine nuts from pine cones?
People have been pine nut harvesting for centuries. You can grow your own by planting a pinyon pine and harvest ing pine nuts from pine cones.
Description
From ancient times to today, the harvest and preparation of food has been tough work, especially in the arid deserts of the Great Basin. Learn how Paiute families did that work together in order to feed and foster their communities. Throughout Utah, families work together to make ends meet.
Source
Image credit: Tuba harvest, circa 1950. The collection of pine nuts has long been a family affair for bands of Paiute people. Image courtesy University of Nevada, Reno. _______________ See Floyd O’Neil, “The Utes, Southern Paiutes, and Gosiutes” in Helen Z.
Publisher
The Beehive Archive is a production of Utah Humanities. Find sources and the whole collection of past episodes at www.utahhumanities.org
How to make a pine nut shell?
Shell the nuts with your hands. Holding a pine nut in your hand, place your nail inside the pine nut opening and make a divot. Then, pinch the sides with your fingers and roll it until the shell and outer skin rubs off.
What pine trees are good for harvesting?
Although you can harvest many different pinyon pine trees, some provide better harvests than others. The best for harvesting are the Colorado pinyon, Mexican pinyon, and single-leaf pinyon because they produce large pine nuts. Pinyon pine trees are the only pine trees that produce nuts large enough to harvest.
How long do pine cones need to dry before harvesting?
Dry the pine cones in a burlap bag for 21 days. Pine cones need about 3 weeks to dry before you can harvest the nuts inside. Place the cones in a burlap bag or similar container in the sun, lying the burlap sack sideways to help the sunlight dry them evenly.
How to get pine cone sap off your hands?
If you get any sap on your hands, use an oil-based soap to wash it off. Pick out the nuts with your hands. Pull off all of the pine cone scales to expose the nuts underneath. Pick each nut, which should look black and oval-shaped, with your fingers, then repeat the process with each additional pine cone.
How to get rid of scales on pine cones?
Pull off all of the pine cone scales to expose the nuts underneath. Pick each nut, which should look black and oval-shaped, with your fingers, then repeat the process with each additional pine cone. Discard the nuts that float in a bowl of water. Place the pine nuts in a bowl and fill it to the top with water.
How long can you keep pine nuts in the fridge?
Keep shelled pine nuts in the fridge if you'll use them within a month. Place your pine nuts in an airtight container and store them in the fridge if you plan to eat them within a few weeks. Pine nuts keep for about a month in the fridge before expiring, so plan to eat them within 30 days after shelling.
How to pick a pine cone?
Pick the pine cones off the tree. Grab a pine cone in your hand and, with a twisting motion, pull it until it separates from the tree branch. Place the pine cone in a container and continue picking until you have enough for your needs.
When can I harvest pine nuts in Carson City?
October 5, 2019 at 4:17 pm. Pine nuts can be harvested in October if the cones open and strong winds have not blown in that area. I live in Carson City NV and a range named the Pine nut Mountains is full of trees that can be beaten with a pole after laying down tarps, then drag to the next tree and repeat.
How long do pine nuts last in the shell?
Pine nuts are surprisingly perishable. Once frozen, however, in-shell pine nuts will keep for 2 years or more.
How long does it take for pine cones to open?
Eventually, they will begin to open on their own. Photo by Hank Shaw. When the cones do open, about 3 weeks or so, pick out all the nuts from within. You’ll get a little pitch on your hands, but it comes off with oil. Not all nuts will be good nuts, alas. It’s a fact of pine nut processing that can be depressing.
How deep can you stack green cones?
Photo by Hank Shaw. When you get home, lay the green cones out in cheap foil roasting trays or some other shallow, wide container you can stack no more than two cones deep — if you stack them too deep they can get moldy. Enjoy the wonderful aroma and wait. Eventually, they will begin to open on their own.
Do trees set cones?
Not every tree will set cones, and only Mother Nature knows why. But you can find loaded trees next to barren ones. Sometimes small variations in elevation or whether the trees are on a north or south face of a slope can matter a lot. Once you find the trees, remember where they are. Photo by Hank Shaw.
Is a dark nut a good nut?
You’ll notice something: Dark nuts are good nuñts. The darker the shell , the more likely the nut is a good one. The nut on the left is a P. monophylla nut, the one on the right is from P. edulis. Photo by Hank Shaw. As for the good nuts, you will still need to shell them.
What pine nuts are found in Utah?
Gathering pinyon pine nuts is a wonderful way to experience the fall bounty of Great Basin National Park. The singleaf pinyon, Pinus monophylla, is an abundant tree found in mixed stands with Utah juniper between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. It is the only species of pine on the continent with single needles. The nuts produced by these pines are delicious ...
Can you park in a pine cone?
Those found in possession of pine nuts or cones in excess of these amounts may be cited and the pine nuts and cones will be confiscated. Parking is allowed only in gravel or paved parking areas. Do not drive or park off-road. All-terrain vehicles and other off-road vehicles are strictly prohibited.
Can you gather pine nuts in Great Basin National Park?
Gathering pine nuts within Great Basin National Park is allowed in the fall only , and subject to the following regulations. The goal is to ensure that impact to the park is minimized and that plenty of nuts remain for Clark's nutcrackers, pinyon jays, and ground squirrels.
How to get rid of bad pine nuts?
Here is a simple way to sort out the bad pine nuts from the good ones. Put your pine nuts in a big bowl of water. The bad pine nuts will float to the top.
Which pine tree is used for pine nuts?
In North America, the species of pine trees which are most commonly used for pine nuts are: Colordao pinyon (pinus edulis)
How long does pine nuts vodka sit in the bottle?
Fill the rest of the bottle with vodka. Close the bottle and let it sit in a dark area for at least 3 weeks. The essential oils from the pine nuts will leach into the vodka. Drink and enjoy!
How long does it take for pine cones to open?
It will take a few weeks, but the pine cones will open up. Then you can tap the pine cones and the seeds will fall out. If you don’t feel like waiting 3 weeks for your pine cones to open up, then you can use heat. Lay the pine cones out flat and roast them in the oven (or over a fire). Let the pine cones cool down.
What happens if pine cones are open?
If all of the pine cones have opened, then critters have probably already eaten all of the seeds.
How to get pine sap off a pine cone?
Gather the pine cones which are still closed or barely open. Twist the pine cone to get it off the tree. Try not to break any branches.
Can you shell pine nuts?
The cost mostly has to do with how difficult it is to shell pine nuts. As you will find out, there is no easy way to shell them. In a survival situation, you probably won’t mind. But, for everyday eating, you might give up and just go buy a pound of shelled pine nuts rather than do the work yourself.
What are the guidelines for pinyon nut harvesting?
If establishing a major camp, commercial pickers must coordinate first with the agency responsible for managing the land where the camp will be located. 2.
When is the pinyon nut auction?
Auctions generally take place in August, just before the harvesting season begins. HARVESTING GUIDELINES.
How much does a BLM permit cost in Colorado?
In Colorado, BLM field offices and national forests typically charge 20 cents per pound for commercial permits, with a minimum charge of $20. A commercial permit from a BLM office in Nevada or western Utah authorizes the holder to remove pine nuts from the geographic area shown on the permit.
Where are pinyons harvested?
In Nevada and western Utah, the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service sometimes lease out commercial pinyon nut harvesting sites. The BLM field offices in Nevada began their commercial pinyon lease program during the mid-1990s when Colorado pinyon supplies became scarce and demand for singleleaf pinyon increased.
What are the three categories of harvesting?
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service have three categories of harvesting -- incidental use, personal use, and commercial use . The following rules apply for these use categories in many parts of the Southwest.
Is it illegal to sell pine nuts in New Mexico?
It is illegal in New Mexico for anyone to label and sell pine nuts from species other than those listed in the law under the label of pinon nuts. The law's purpose was to distinguish local pinon nuts from imported pine nuts. The law authorizes the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to examine pine nut dealers' records to verify ...
Why are pine nuts so expensive?
As most Utahans and Nevadans know the high cost of pine nuts on the market today due to the fact of plagues destroying crops, drought, climate change, high cost of production of energy, labor, packaging supplies, permits etc. that we see constantly raising in our nation today.
How long can you keep pine nuts frozen?
These instructions will help to maintain the freshness of your Pine Nuts and Piñon for as long as you wish (we recommend no longer than 6 months, but truly they can be kept frozen for much longer and maintain their freshness). DIRECTIONS: 1.
How long do pine nuts last in the freezer?
Note: Once the Pine Nuts / Piñon are defrosted they should be eaten or roasted within 3 days.
How to pop pine nuts in a frying pan?
Remove from fying pan so not to burn. Your all done. On Stove - With Salt. Place pine nuts on a frying pan on high heat. Stir them until they begin to pop. Once they are popping add 1/8 cup of water and begin to stir them mixing in the desired salt until they become dry and begin to pop again.
Is eating raw pine nuts healthy?
This can be a great thing for those who like to stay healthy and eat good instead of drinking degenerate energy drinks or eating other adulterated foods and snacks. Habitually eating Raw Pine Nuts (allergy’s excluded) is physcially a plus, unlike drinking coffee and other forms of energy drinks. A Healthy energy alternative.