Hickory pie

[Subrosa]

This is more of a project thread than a recipe, but eventually I'll actually make some pies! Phase 1, raw material acquisition. You can't go down to the grocery for hickory nuts, so 1.5 hours and a small mountain climb later, here's about 2 gal of hickory nuts. Now I'm going fishing!

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

This is more of a project thread than a recipe, but eventually I'll actually make some pies! Phase 1, raw material acquisition. You can't go down to the grocery for hickory nuts, so 1.5 hours and a small mountain climb later, here's about 2 gal of hickory nuts. Now I'm going fishing!

Might want to do a taste test to make sure those are not bitternut or pignut hickories. The thin-skinned types always confuse me.

Find a shellbark (or kingnut) hickory - then you are in pie heaven!

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Might want to do a taste test to make sure those are not bitternut or pignut hickories. The thin-skinned types always confuse me.

Find a shellbark (or kingnut) hickory - then you are in pie heaven!

I collected a handful Sunday. They were delicious!

[jcec1]

Is it like a pecan pie?

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Might want to do a taste test to make sure those are not bitternut or pignut hickories. The thin-skinned types always confuse me.

Find a shellbark (or kingnut) hickory - then you are in pie heaven!

My exact thoughts. We thought we had tasty hickories only to find out pig hickories are only fit for squirrels.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by jcec1

Is it like a pecan pie?

Very similar. They are all in the genus Carya. Pecans are Carya illinoinensis.

[Subrosa]

The bark on these trees seemed like a match for pignut hickories of their size (12"-14" in diameter at eye level). The other common species, the shagbark is quite different. I have read conflicting accounts of the palatability of pignut hickories. It could be due to misidentification, and I may be guilty as well. But I can't get these things out of the shell fast enough to make them a decent snack food! So I'll bear down and produce for pie purposes.

[Subrosa]

Phase 2 is complete, all nuts are de-husked. And it only took 3 hours!

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Phase 2 is complete, all nuts are de-husked. And it only took 3 hours!

Your pies better taste good after all the effort you're putting in.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by jcec1

Your pies better taste good after all the effort you're putting in.

My pecan pies always disappear quickly when I set them out. I'll be using the same recipe, just subbing in the hickories for the pecans. Phase 3 is shelling them. The best is yet to come I think!