Ponderosa Pine Nuts

BY DAVID OTTERSTROM

When you think about trees in the Inland Northwest, Ponderosa pine stands out.

It is practically everywhere here in the region’s foothills and valleys. I love the natural resinous smell of Ponderosa pine, especially the smell of their bark which reminds me of vanilla. The Ponderosa pine has many uses. One that should not be overlooked at this time of year is its seeds.

Most pine nuts from the store are harvested from Pinyon pine, but our local Ponderosa pine trees also produce edible seeds.

Ponderosa pine nuts are ready to collect in autumn. As the pinecone scales open up, the pine nuts held inside naturally fall to the ground. I enjoy gathering the seeds that have fallen right below the tree, but it is also fun to pick up the freshly dropped pinecones and hit them against a rock to get more seeds out. It’s best to wear gloves when doing this because the pinecone’s scales tend to be sharp.

Remove the papery wing attached to the seed as well as the thin woody shell of the seed. This part can be tricky but I find the best way is to gently use a nut cracker against the seed until the shell cracks and then carefully peel it off.

Ponderosa pine nuts are easy to overlook because they are much smaller than the Pinyon pine nuts. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying them. Even collecting a few can add a tasty topping to your salad or dessert. Pine nuts in general have a high oil content, so they have a luscious buttery and nutty flavor with a bit of sweetness too. Ponderosa pine nuts are delicious!

Happy foraging and as always, make sure to correctly identify the wild food you are gathering before eating.