Are you nuts for nuts, dear reader? Are you wacky for walnuts? Cuckoo for cashews? (Hey, I can keep going!) Can you munch on hazelnuts and other nuts like an over-enthusiastic squirrel? Do you feel superior to those poor bastards with peanut allergies? We have quite a quiz for you! Let’s chomp on some pistachios and see if you’re truly natty for those nuts. (I promise to stop with the nut puns.)

Different types of nuts

Almonds

Thousands of years ago, our ancestors happily munched on almonds. Most likely, domestication of these nuts began in the third millennium BC, if not earlier. Almonds have a mildly sweet flavor and are perfect as a dessert item and in confections. You might know about almond flour or almond milk. If you’re concerned about the nutritional aspect, fret not – almonds have a lot of vitamin E and manganese. 

Pecans

If you’ve ever had pecan pie, you don’t need to be introduced to the marvels of pecans. They’re sweeter than walnuts, so they frequently find their place in baking and candy. Your mum might add pecans to turkey stuffing – especially if she’s from Texas. Pecans are native to the US South, from Illinois down to Mexico. 

Could you be addicted to sugar?

Cashews

Believe it or not, cashews are related to poison ivy. The pear-shaped nuts originated in South and Central America but traveled through trade routes to other regions, like India and Thailand. They taste mild, which makes them a perfect option when you want to give a dish some texture or cronch. Cashew milk is also a healthy substitute for dairy.

Walnuts

Walnuts have it all: they’re tasty as a snack, good for pies and desserts, and have fewer carbs than other types of nuts. They also kind of look like brains, so that’s fun. When you eat walnuts, remember they’re good for your brain and heart and have a lot of anti-inflammatory properties. If only their shells weren’t so hard to crack! Protip: if you want to enjoy walnuts without a hassle, the pre-shelled kind might come in handy. 

Pistachios

“The green nut” (because that’s the origin of its name) is an ancient nut and the kind that is packed with nutrients. You can get a good amount of protein, copper, fiber, vitamins B6 and B1, and other nutrients by eating pistachios. They also aren’t that high in caloric or fat content, so it’s a win-win! You might want to eat them as is, try to make your nut butter, or even taste delicious baklava with Silician pistachios. 

Are you a tasty type of donut?

Nuts for nuts recipe

Walking around the streets of New York, you’ll likely spot vendors selling delicious candied nuts out of their carts. You can get your choice of sugar- or honey-coated nuts wrapped in a handy paper bag. Crunchy, sweet, warm roasted peanuts, almonds, or cashews are at your fingertips for just a few bucks.

The fun thing is you don’t have to travel to the Big Apple to try these delicacies. The recipe is right here! If you have a bit of sugar and water, a hot saucepan, and whatever nuts are your favorite, you have everything you need to enjoy this snack at home. Try pecans, walnuts, or cashews – whatever your heart desires! Just remember, the nuts should be raw. 

How many ingredients do you require for one and a half cups of nuts? Two tablespoons of water and 1/4 of a cup of granulated sugar is all there is to it. Why granulated sugar? Because it caramelizes the best. Of course, you’ll also require your choice of nuts (about one and a half cups). If you want to get fancy, sprinkle in cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or whatever other spice you like. You could add a little salt for that sweet-salty flavor. You might even throw in a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat if you’re really feeling wild. 

The recipe itself is simple: just add water and sugar to the pan and let it boil. Once the sugar dissolves, throw in the nuts. Now it’s time to pay attention – don’t leave the kitchen! Stir occasionally for about two minutes. Then, you gotta start stirring with a passion of a hungry bird.

Once the water evaporates and the sugar crystallizes beautifully on the nuts, you can turn the heat off – but keep mixing. See how the sugar caramelizes and turns a gorgeous brown color on the nuts? That’s when you know they’re ready, but please, resist the temptation to munch on them immediately! 

While the nuts are cooling off, take a look at the rest of our quizzes!

Are nuts making you nuts? Are you a peanut or a cashew person? Face off with this crunchy quiz and see how much you really like nuts. You’re “nut” going to believe the results!