Pistachios

The Queen of Sheba and I share one thing in common.  We both love of nuts.  Pistachio nuts to be precise.  Now, I'm sure you're familiar with the  tales about the Queen's addiction to these gluten-free, delicious treasures.  But just in case you forgot how the story goes...

Legend tell us that the Queen of Sheba adored her pistachio nuts so much; she  demanded that the entire region's pistachio harvest be set aside for her alone.  But she didn't stop there.  No, these nuts were too precious, too royal for just anyone to enjoy.  So  after thoroughly enjoying her private storehouse of Pistachio Nuts, she forbade all commoners from even growing pistachios for their personal use! 

Thank goodness there's not a commoner among any of us Gimme Gluten Free readers!  No indeed, we all are "royal" so at least being deprived of Pistachio Nuts would not have applied to us! 

Here are a few facts about pistachio nuts:

• Only two nuts are listed in the Bible, pistachios and almonds. Here is the only reference to pistachio nuts in the Bible: "Take some of the best products of the land... a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, PISTACHIO NUTS and almonds." Genesis 43:11
• Apicius (the famous gourmet and lover of luxury who lived during the reign of  Tiberius) introduced pistachios to the Roman elite in the first century AD.
• Did you know... Pistachio Nuts are known as the "smiling nut" in Iran; and in China they are frequently referred to as the "happy nut."
• Pistachio Nuts are wonderfully nutritious; they're high in fiber and contain copper, thiamin, vitamin B6, manganese, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and... more!  A one-ounce serving (about 49 nuts) is only 170 royal calories. 

It's time to take action!  Get yourself some lovely, healthy, gluten-free Pistachio Nuts to snack on.  But pleeezze...  Do TRY to SHARE your Pistachio Nuts with others.  

Don't you just LOVE this "slice of cantaloupe" pottery serving dish? It makes the pistachios and almonds taste even better; and I think that the Queen of Sheba would totally approve of it also.  This amazing serving dish was handmade and created by my extremely gifted and talented friend, the artisan ~ Toby Jessup.
 

Happy Pistachio Day!