Go Nuts With Organic, Kosher Pistachios

Last Sunday, a new vendor joined the Mar Vista Farmers’ Market, and with its arrival comes the promise of wholesome organic pistachios, thanks to Santa Barbara Pistachios.

I spoke with David, a friend of the family that owns Santa Barbara Pistachios as he unveiled the selection of offerings. He introduced me to the company by saying that it uses only 100% certified organic ingredients. They are also certified Kosher. Then he showed me the tempting roasted pistachio flavors like chili lemon, red hot habañero, hot onion garlic (which also gets its heat from habañeros), hickory smoke, onion garlic roast, lemon zing and crushed garlic.

Santa Barbara Pistachios also offers a lightly salted variety (they use only 100% sea salt), and a-no salt variety, which is simply roasted. There is a raw option as well for those looking for pistachios in their natural, less crunchy state. The flavors are all natural, accomplished by marinating first, then roasting.

Next, David pointed out the selection of kernels - shelled pistachios available salted, raw and roasted. If you really like pistachios, then go for the Pillows: 4 pound bags of any flavor, or purchase a sampler gift box of 7 flavors.

The independently-operated family farm is located 50 miles outside of Ojai near highway 33 in the high desert at 2,900 feet. The family grows pistachios on nearly 400 acres. David has photographs of the orchard, one of which shows customers what pistachios look like in their natural habitat.  The nuts hang in clusters off the tree, their pink shells catching the sunlight as they ripen.   

The Santa Barbara Pistachios website includes a full page of enticing pistachio-infused recipes. The website boasts that by using a hot air drying technique rather than flame roasting, they are able to preserve the nutritional value of the nuts. That presumably means that any dish made with Santa Barbara Pistachios will be higher in nutrition than store-bought nuts. 

Try the recipe for roasted butternut squash with rosemary, orange and California pistachios or pistachio encrusted salmon for main dishes. Salad ideas include sautéed goat  cheese on salad greens and desserts range from pistachio gelato to blueberry rhubarb crisp with pistachio crust. 

In addition to Mar Vista, Santa Barbara Pistachios has a booth at the Hollywood and Santa Monica 3^rd Street Farmers’ Markets.  Pick up a 12 oz. bag of any flavor for $6, Pillows for $30, or Kernels for $12.

Christy Wilhelmi is well known to many local Mar Vistans as The Gardenerd. Her website and blog at  www.gardenerd.com offers  information on classes, consulting and food-garden design.