All the pistachio recipes: from appetizer to dessert
The Green Gold of Sicily: this is how the Green Pistachio of Bronte is called. Its intense green color expresses the uniqueness of this particular pistachio, which has become a true gastronomic excellence on the international culinary scene.
Our beloved pistachio, in Sicilian dialect frastuca, is also the main ingredient of many dishes, both savory and sweet. A super versatile food, with beneficial properties because it is rich in natural antioxidants, but above all so tasty to give each dish a unique personality. And then who can forget it?
Pistachio: good to know!
Pistachios are the seeds of the Pistacia plant, belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. Initially pistachio was cultivated in the Middle East and only later it arrived in Italy. Today we preserve one of the best varieties: the famous Bronte pistachios.
Officially recognized as D.O.P. in 2009, pistachio has recently become part of the so called Italian Slow Food Presidia, in the “Sicily” section.
Pistachio, in general terms, is exclusively produced in the Sicilian region and it is one of the most sought after products in the cuisines of the whole world. It is therefore important to consider the great production and the great number of companies which, today in Sicily, are dedicated to the exclusive cultivation of this much sought after product.
Only Bronte’s Pistachio has about 3000 hectares of production area, of which there are more than 1000 specialized Sicilian producers. The Bronte Pistachio is now exported in large quantities to the foreign market (U.S.A., Canada, Japan) with a turnover of 20 million euros per year.
Essential source of fatty acids, vegetable proteins and minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium, pistachios are also rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that help protect our body from free radicals and premature aging processes.
Pistachio: the excellence of Sicily in the world
Bronte Pistachio is the main ingredient of many gastronomic products, from dairy products to confectionery. Just think about ice cream, pesto for pasta, the classic Panettone with cream and pistachio grains or spreadable creams among the many.
Actually this kind of pistachio has become known rather recently. Known only at a regional level, it was more of a local production until a decade ago. Nowadays Green Gold is expensive but its success does not show signs of decreasing.
Their salty taste but with a sweet aftertaste, makes them a delicious food. Good consumed alone, they are also good for the realization of many recipes or for garnishing salty and sweet dishes.
By the way, let’s see how to prepare many delicious recipes in which pistachio is the only true protagonist of the table: from appetizer to dessert!
Pistachio recipes? Discover all the pistachio flavors
Pistachio is a fruit widely used in cooking for the preparation of any dish, from pasta sauces such as pistachio pesto to sweet and salty seasonings, from spreadable creams to desserts and liquors.
In short, we could eat pistachios for an entire day, from breakfast to dinner (and after dinner), without getting even a moment tired of savoring them.
Okay, start taking notes for a menu all about pistachios!
Pistachio appetizers: here are some delicious recipes
To start your lunch or dinner in a superb but light way, you can prepare ricotta and pistachio cakes. Just mix fresh ricotta cheese, pistachio granules, parmesan cheese and eggs and you’ll have tasty little pies in minutes.
If you are planning to prepare a fish menu, you can serve a quick and super tasty appetizer: pistachio canapés with cream cheese spread, smoked salmon and pistachio granules.
Your guests will be licking their fingers! A great alternative to this quick recipe? Slices of smoked salmon stuffed with fresh ricotta and pistachios.
Pistachio with pasta recipes
There are many recipes for pasta with pistachio, we have selected the tastiest ones. The first recipe we would like to propose is pasta and pistachio and mint pesto with grilled eggplant and shrimps. A tasty, light, fragrant first course that will leave your guests speechless.
In Sicily, seafood lunches always represent an excellent opportunity to enjoy fresh dishes with local ingredients. Fresh fish, together with pistachios, is another ingredient that is difficult to give up. If you want to impress your guests, prepare linguine with Bronte pistachio pesto and shrimps: a must of the most refined Sicilian cuisine. A first course for a restaurant that combines sea and land, giving you a tasty and genuine dish.
If you don’t know how to prepare pistachio pesto, here is the recipe for Sicilian pistachio pesto to obtain a pesto with an intense aroma and spicy notes.
Yes, as you may have guessed, pistachio goes perfectly with fish. For a first course like a true Sicilian, try the risotto with clams and pistachios, a delicate and fresh dish that will take your mind to a restaurant overlooking the Sicilian sea.
Pistachio main courses and street food
How to continue lunch or dinner without giving up the delicacies offered by pistachio?
A fish dish you absolutely must try is the salmon fillet with pistachio granules. All you have to do is prepare a breadcrumb with pistachios, almonds and sesame to garnish your salmon fillets, put everything in the oven and get ready to enjoy a tasty dish, light and with a Sicilian soul.
Alternatively, you can prepare a pistachio puff pastry pie, especially if you want to serve a totally vegetarian dish. You can add mozzarella, cheeses like scamorza and caciocavallo, and cherry tomatoes.
And how can we talk about Sicilian recipes without mentioning at least one street food dish? You already know about arancine and arancini, but do you know that they can be prepared with other ingredients besides meat and butter? Yes, pistachio arancine are one of the most beloved dishes in Sicily and to prepare them all you need to do is garnish them with béchamel sauce, caciocavallo cheese and pistachios.
Sicilian pistachio desserts
No, hang in there a little longer. We’re at dessert, and there are some sweet recipes you absolutely can’t miss!
Pistachio is the undisputed king of Sicilian desserts, we can say it, and there are so many desserts to prepare to end lunch or dinner on a high note.
Let’s start with a classic sponge cake with ricotta and pistachios and continue with a more modern cake, pistachio cheesecake. A cold cake, which requires no cooking, and is very easy to prepare. All you have to do is make a crunchy chocolate base, using even simple cocoa cookies, and then add butter, sugar, cream cheese, liquid cream and, of course, ground pistachios!
Who said that Sicilian pistachio panettone should be eaten only at Christmas? This is a delicious dessert that can be enjoyed at any time of the year and can be prepared quickly and easily. Here is the recipe to prepare a delicious Sicilian Pistachio Panettone!
And if it’s a hot summer day and you want to refresh your guests, why not serve a delicious homemade pistachio ice cream or a pistachio granita? You can use a ready-made pistachio paste or prepare a pistachio cream by artisanally blending pistachios. The consistency will be creamy and the flavour intense. A real treat for the eyes and the palate!
You won’t believe it, but if you thought that this was the whole menu you will be disappointed. It will not be the ice cream to close the lunch or dinner with pistachios, but a creamy pistachio liqueur to be served cold.
All that remains is to wish you Bon appetite!
