How to Harvest Pine Nuts

Why buy organic nuts when you can pick pine nuts for free?

Pine nuts are full of protein, fiber and zinc. Their flavor is delicate and distinct, and they are rumored to be an aphrodisiac. If you buy pine nuts they are expensive, due to a labor-intensive harvesting process and the destruction of many pine trees. But pine nut harvesting is a way family or friends can get outdoors and enjoy picking pine nuts together, since it's difficult to do alone, and try the pine nuts raw---or take them home and make pesto.Think of it as your hookup to organic nuts.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Ladder
• Sack
• Tarp

Harvesting Pine Nuts

1. Harvest pine nuts during September and October. Wear gloves, since pine sap is very sticky. You will not need a permit if you are gathering for "personal use." The definition of personal use varies among states, and can range from 25 to 75 lbs., so research your state's specifics before you go.

2. Place a ladder against the side of the tree and pick the cones by hand, if the pine cones are unripe or closed. Don't break off tree limbs in order to pick the cones from the ground. Put the cones into plastic bags or cloth sacks.

3. Spread a tarp beneath the tree and shake the branches, if the pine cones are open and ripe. Pine nuts will fall out of the ripened cones, onto the tarp. If the nuts aren't falling out, try knocking the individual cones with a stick to loosen the pine nuts.

4. Use heat to open the cones up, if you've harvested closed cones. There are various ways of ripening the cones: you can spread the cones out and let them dry naturally; you can leave them in the sack and let the sun heat them (be sure to turn the sack so that all cones are heated evenly); or you can roast them over coals. Once the cones have opened up, shake them to release the pine nuts.

5. Prepare the pine nuts for eating by roasting them or soaking them in salt water. To get to the soft, inner part of the nut, use a rolling pin to remove the hard outer shell. Place the pine nuts on a flat surface, cover them with a towel, and roll over them as though rolling out cookie dough.

6. Keep pine nuts dry and refrigerated. Unshelled nuts have a very high oil content, and go bad quickly, especially in humid conditions. Keep them in the refrigerator or freezer; they should last for a month.