Candied Ginger Pistachios

I’ve always been a big snacker, but since the little man arrived into our lives, more of my snacks have been coming out of packages than I’d like. While I’m still choosing nourishing foods that keep me satiated and energized, I’ve been missing that connection to food that is built through preparation. One of the easiest snacks to make that’s also filling and nourishing is roasted and flavored nuts. I first made these candied ginger pistachios in the fall and I’m excited to have them back in our snack rotation.

This month’s recipe redux theme is dishes for the Oscar’s. The suggestions were to make a meal from your favorite movie or a good appetizer for watching the award show. I’ll be honest that I’m not a huge movie watcher (favorites are probably still Wizard of Oz & Mary Poppins from childhood), and the most fun part of award shows for me is the red carpet to see what everyone is wearing. But, the snacking I can get behind, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to share the candied ginger pistachios with you… and they pair perfectly with your movie popcorn!

Pistachios

These are my favorite nut to eat raw out of the shell, but they’re super versatile, too. I have a couple of pesto recipes made with pistachios, but roasting them like in this recipe provides a different flavor with all the nutrition.

Pistachios are pretty rich in protein compared to some other nuts and also have some research in the areas of gut health!

The “Candied” Part

I like my candy and sweetness to come with flavor, so maple syrup and raw honey are go-to’s in my kitchen! For this recipe, I used just enough maple syrup for a touch of sweetness and to completely coat the nuts. Fun fact: different colored maple syrups provide different phytonutrients so mix it up!

Ginger

One of my favorite flavors, ginger also provides some “superfood” potential if you ask me. I relied on ginger flavored everything during my nauseous pregnancy, and sip on ginger tea anytime my digestion is off. Plus, it contains anti-inflammatory and immune supporting antioxidants with its little kick of spice.

Want more food ideas for viewing award shows, watching sports, or just everyday snacking? Click the link below my recipe!

Candied Ginger Pistachios

Vegan, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups shelled lightly salted pistachios
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 1/4 tsp powdered ginger

Directions

• Heat oven to 275 F
• Add pistachios to a bowl with the ginger and stir so there are no clumps
• Drizzle maple syrup over and then stir to coat the nuts

• Spread the pistachios evenly on a silpat or parchment lined baking sheet
• Cook for 20 minutes before removing from the oven and stirring

• Cook an additional 10-15, and let cool at least 10 minutes, until nuts are crispy, before serving.