In the Kitchen With Fay: Did You Know That April is National Pecan Month?

This column was posted by Megan Bard. It was reported and written by Fay Abrahamsson. 

Here’s an easy recipe for pecan munchies. Serve them in your fanciest bowl at a cocktail party, offer them as a quick afternoon snack for the kids, or sprinkle them on ice cream or pudding for a quick dessert. You'll find this recipe very versatile.

Totally Addictive Pecan Munchies

Makes about 4 cups

1/2 cup sugar
3 T sea salt or kosher salt
dash of freshly ground pepper
2 cups honey
1 tsp. orange zest
4 cups pecan halves (or another type of nut such as walnut halves, if desired) 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. 

In a small bowl, combine sugar, salt and pepper. Set aside. 
 
In a large saucepan, heat honey and zest. Remove honey mixture from heat and stir in pecans, coating well. 

Pour pecan mixture on baking sheet and spread out evenly.  Bake 8-10 minutes, watching carefully. Don’t allow the nuts to get too dark. 

Remove from oven and sprinkle nuts with sugar/salt/pepper mixture.  Cool. 

Break apart and serve.  

Adapted from a recipe found in Sassy Sips & Nibbles, 2006.