Pecan pie is widely considered to be a southern specialty that grew in popularity during the last century. It is now enjoyed throughout the country, especially at the holidays.
Pecan pie is typically made in the fall after the pecan harvest is complete although these days, pecans are available year ‘round. For many families, it is a holiday rite of passage to make a pecan pie for entertaining family and friends during the holidays. In fact, pecan pie is seen on many Thanksgiving tables right alongside the pumpkin pie.
Pecan nuts have been traced back hundreds of years and are thought to pre-date native Americans in regions of the United States. The southern states, particularly Texas, are known as the country’s pecan growers, where the weather is conducive to pecan growth cycles. Pecan nuts are harvested after they fall from the trees, and most go on to shelling machines, as the vast majority of pecan nuts are sold shelled.
If you are lucky enough to live near a pecan orchard, by all means purchase fresh nuts! If you’re patient, you can shell them yourself, or you can have the grower shell them for you. You’ll taste the difference either way because, like fresh fruit and other produce, fresh is best, and fresh pecans make the very best pecan pie!