If you do a taste test you will see a definite taste difference in making a dish with pecans freshly picked versus buying in the grocery store.  Pecans that are fresh have a full flavor that reminds you of Mother Earth. If you don’t have pecan trees in your yard, I would urge you to contact a pecan store that farms and processes pecans.

Cook with fresh pecans when making Homemade Candied Pecans

In our area we have several sources to buy  fresh pecans locally  B and B Pecans and Holmes Pecan Company. In the South, they are available most anywhere. Our little slice of heaven boasts pecans trees on the property and usually at least one tree will produce.

Picking up pecans off the ground is a good exercise. The entire process should make  you appreciate why pecans are expensive. Annually,  I am reminded of this every time I pick pecans, take to farm for cracking, retrieve pecans, separate pecans and shells.

New exercise to add to your work out routine

If you happened to drive by while I was sitting on the orange five gallon bucket, you have seen me picking pecans. After picking pecans for about an hour, I was really tired. Pecans were still all over the ground so I didn’t want to stop. Eventually, I figured out I could sit on the bucket, reach around pick up pecans and toss in bucket. What should I name my new exercise,  pecan-yoga?

Pecan-yoga consisted of a ton of stretching and squatting. By the time I wore myself out with my new exercise program, I had  plenty of pecans. Thankfully, Grill Man was not here with his camera to capture  pecan- yoga in action. Pecan-yoga must be good for you because my muscles were screaming at me the next day.  Despite sore muscles,  my pecans would be used in sweet and savory dishes and pecan-yoga would be  a faint memory.

One year Grill Man’s Aunt Theria  gave us a beautiful tin of deliciously coated homemade Candied Pecans one year as a gift. Our family loved them so much that Theria shared the recipe with me. The hardest part about this recipe is keeping your family from eating them before you  have an opportunity to give as gifts. If you suspect this will be an issue, cook on a day when your home alone and then hide the evidence before the poachers arrive.

Candied Pecans have been a staple in our home ever since Theria shared her recipe. Of course,  I adapted Theria’s recipe with a slight twist and I am happy to share it with you. When I cook a family recipe it always makes me smile.  Impossible to cook their  recipe without thinking about the person that lovingly shared recipe.

Homemade Candied Pecans make a great treat to eat and share as gifts for your loved one. Super easy gift to make at home and transport on your holiday travels.  Shout out to Alexa for Joe Bonamassa.

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