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Nuts & seeds · Tree nuts

Nuts

Tree nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios and hazelnuts, sold whole, chopped, ground or as butters.

Also called: mixed nuts, tree nuts

134 recipes with it

What it is

In cooking, 'nuts' means the oily, crunchy kernels of tree nuts: almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts and pine nuts. Peanuts are legumes and coconuts are fruit, though both are used like nuts. They are sold raw or roasted, whole, flaked, chopped, ground or as butters and milks.

How it’s used

  • Toasted and scattered over salads, rice and desserts
  • Ground into sauces such as korma, pesto and romesco
  • Baked into cakes, biscuits, baklava and brittles
  • Eaten as snacks

Characteristics

When cooked
Toasting in a dry pan or oven brings out flavour; nuts go from golden to burnt quickly.
Sold as
whole, chopped, ground, paste, flakes
Cooking uses
Usually eaten raw, Suitable for baking, Used as a garnish

Kinds in our pantry

Storage

Cool, dry and dark. Their oils turn rancid with heat, light and time: keep airtight in a cool, dark place, or in the fridge or freezer for longer storage. A bitter, paint-like smell means rancid.

Diet, allergens and safety

Contains Tree nuts.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Caffeine-free
  • Tree nuts are a major allergen; an allergy to one nut does not rule out others, and nuts are often packed on shared lines, so check 'may contain' warnings.
  • Whole nuts are a choking hazard for young children; offer them ground or as smooth butter.

Related ingredients

Recipes with nuts

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