Nuts & seeds · Tree nuts

Pistachios

Green-kernelled nuts in split beige shells; sweet and slightly resinous, used in sweets, rice and snacks.

Also called: pistachio, antep fıstığı, pista

A kind of nuts

Photo: THOR, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-2.0)

What it is

Pistachios are small, bright-green kernels with a purple-brown skin, sold in naturally split shells (salted or plain) or shelled. The greenest are prized for colour in sweets. They are sweeter and more perfumed than almonds and are related to cashews.

Pistacia vera

How it’s used

Ground or slivered for baklava, kulfi, halwa and Persian sweets
Scattered over pilafs, biryani and salads
Blended into pesto, dukkah and crusts for lamb or fish
Eaten as a snack from the shell

Characteristics

Taste: Sweet, rich and slightly resinous.
Texture: Crisp but tender.
Appearance: Bright green kernel with a purplish skin.
Sold as: whole, chopped, ground, paste
Cooking uses: Usually eaten raw, Suitable for baking, Used as a garnish
Common in: Turkish, Iranian, Levantine, Indian, Italian, Afghan, Middle Eastern, Greek

Kinds in our pantry

Pistachio paste

Storage

Cool, dry and dark. Keep airtight in a cool, dark place, or the fridge or freezer once shelled.

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.
People allergic to cashews often also react to pistachios.