The pros: Delicate, flavorful and lightly toasted nuts which are made affordable. Seriously, Trader Joe's Dry Toasted Pignolias is the largest cheapest size bag I have found in most grocery stores. They do sell a bag of raw pine nuts, but that's a review for another day.
The cons: ¼ cup is 200 calories, this bag come as a resealable as you are unlikely to use the entire 8 ounces in one application. A third of your daily fat in one serving.
The verdict: For $7.99 for 8 ounces, these are a more expensive nut to buy, but if you've ever been in a nice bakery, anything with pine nuts is expensive. They do sell two different varieties of pine nuts, raw and toasted. This review just focuses on the toasted. If you've never had pine nuts, they will remind you of a smaller and more delicate peanut. Toasting them brings out the flavor. These would make a great compliment to a baked good, salad or even where you desire some crunch.
The bag of Trader Joe's Dry Toasted Pignolias Pine Nuts:
The nutritional information and the only ingredient:
A small warning about this product:
What can you do with pine nuts? Make Zucchini Carpaccio, a vegetarian spin on beef carpaccio. In place of beef, you have thinly sliced zucchini. Makes for a beautiful and quick appetizer.
Would I buy this again? For me this is a yes. In many grocery stores around me, they only sell them in tiny little jars costing nearly as much as I paid for Trader Joe's Dry Toasted Pignolias 8 ounce bag. The taste and texture were all there. You may or may not want some salt with these. I found them delightful without.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
I used pine nuts in some recipe when I was trying to do a Mediterranean diet. I think it was a sauce, but can't remember more than I liked it.
Great suggestion. I'll have to look into that
I think it was pesto and possibly stuffed grape leaves. I love all such things, but alas, I am too lazy to make them regularly. If only I had the resources for a personal chef who cared to make me yummy, healthy foods.