How to Harvest Pinon Nuts
Pinon nuts come from the pinon tree, a name given to four pine varieties that produce these large, edible nuts. Pinon nuts are used in many dishes, including salads and soups. Pinons grow in high mountain desert areas in the southwest of the United States. Nuts are produced in the pine cone, which grows in clusters at the top of the pinon tree. The nuts mature every two years and must be picked quickly or the bounty will be taken by squirrels and other animals. Pinon are harvested in August and September before the cones open and spill the nuts. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Check the cones weekly in August for ripeness. Plan the harvest for when the cones begin to open but before they open fully. Wait until the spines of the cone begin spreading out instead of being tightly pressed against the main cone.
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Wrap one end of a broomstick with a rag and tape it in place so it is padded on one end.
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Spread a tarp around the base of the tree. Cover all the ground from the trunk to 1 foot beyond the spread of the tree's branches with the tarp.
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Set up a 4-foot stepladder near the tree. Have one person on the ladder while the second person climbs it. Knock the pinon cones from the top of the tree with the padded end of the broomstick.
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Gather the edges of the tarp together, leaving the fallen cones and loose nuts on it. Pour the cones and nuts into a 5-gallon bucket.
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Fill a second bucket with water. Remove all the nuts from the first, separating them from the cone when necessary. Place in the bucket of water.
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Skim off any nuts that float and discard. These are either empty shells or shriveled and bad. Drain the water and pat the remaining good nuts dry.
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Spread the pinon nuts out on a layer of paper towels and allow them to dry for one week. Store in a paper bag for up to one year.
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Tips & Warnings
You can climb the tree to knock down the cones, but keep in mind that many pinon trees won't support the weight of an adult.
The forest service in some areas issues permits to harvest pinon nuts from national and state forests.
Pinon trees produce lots of sap. Wear old clothes, gloves and cover your hair while collecting nuts.
