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By Jennifer Restuccio a recent ASU Nutrition Student

Arizona has some of the best fruits and nuts in the world. Dates, pecans, pistachios, and lemons are all coveted Arizona exports. In 2018 alone Arizona’s pecan production was worth over 52,170,000 dollars and 17,000 acres were used for harvesting pecans.

Pecans are a holiday favorite, but there is so much more than just pecan pie. If you have some pecans on hand and you’re feeling creative, here are some delicious recipes that break the mold.

If you aren’t a fan of pecans, let me remind you that they are a great source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Pecans are also high in vitamin E, vitamin A, folic acid, iron, and magnesium. Give one of these recipes a try and I guarantee you will fall in love with the rich nutty flavor of pecans.

Scientific evidence even suggests that eating a handful of nuts a day helps lower cholesterol and can reduce the risk of developing heart disease as if you needed even more reasons to incorporate pecans into your diet.

Here are 50 unique recipes that will make you see pecans in a whole new light!

1. Mini Pecan Monkey Bread Loaves
2. Pecan Rice
3. Slow Cooker Candied Nuts
4. Grape Pecan Chicken Salad
5. Carrot Pecan Cake
6. Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball
7. Just Like LongHorn’s Strawberry Pecan Salad
8. Pecan Tassies
9. Pecan Raisin Bread
10. Green Beans with Candied Pecans
11. Alaska Salmon Bake with Pecan Crunch Coating
12. Pecan Snowball Cookies
13. Apple Pecan Cobbler
14. Prickly Pear Pecan Bars
15. Papaya Pecan Streusel Cake
16. Maple Pecan Granola
17. Millionaire Pie
18. Baked Blueberry Pecan French Toast
19. Southern Pecan Pie Coffee Cake
20. Turtle Candy with Pecans and Caramel
21. Cranberry Apple Pie with Pecan Shortbread Crust
22. Pecan Meringue Cookies
23. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Pecans and Maple Syrup
24. Homemade Basil Pecan Pesto
25. Pecan Crusted Pork Tenderloin
26. Mama’s Sausage Pecan Balls
27. Spaghetti and Pecan Meatballs
28. Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
29. Lentil Pea and Potato Curry
30. Pecan Sweet Potato Bake
31. Easy Banana Pecan Bread
32. Pecan Chicken Casserole
33. Chili Pecans
34. Pan-Roasted Steak Pasta with Pecans
35. Pear and Bleu Cheese Salad
36. Chai Spiced Blackberry Muffins with Pecan Oat Streusel
37. Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
38. Pecan Smoked Chicken Wings
39. Pecan Jam
40. Louisiana Pecan Bacon Bread
41. Apricot Pecan Cornbread Stuffing
42. Oatmeal Pecan Muffins
43. Pecan Crusted Tuna Steak
44. Pumpkin Pecan Frozen Yogurt
45. Berry-Pecan Cheesecake Bars (Keto)
46. Wheat Berry Salad with Pecans and Craisins
47. Clean Eating Butternut Pecan Quinoa Salad
48. Candied Pecan Pear Salad with Pomegranates
49. Pecan Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast
50. Creamy Lentil and Pecan Cucumber Toppers

Sources:

https://ilovepecans.org/nutrition-in-a-nutshell/

https://agriculture.az.gov/plantsproduce/what-we-grow/tree-fruits-and-nuts

https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=ARIZONA

Looking for more fun articles? Check out the Fill Your Plate blog for new articles every week. For fun recipes to cook with the family, be sure to check out the Fill Your Plate recipe section.