A bowl of pistachios on a wooden table.
Image Credit: margouillatphotos/iStock/Getty Images Pistachios pop open as they mature. The shell usually splits along a ridge, making opening the shell very simple. Sometimes you find shells that have split open only a little or worse, not at all. This generally means the nut wasn’t mature when it was harvested, but that might not stop you from trying to eat the nut anyway if you’re hungry enough. Try opening the shell with a nutcracker.
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Step 1
Spread a napkin or paper towel out on a counter or table, or place a large plate in front of you.
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Step 2
Put the closed pistachio shell in the nutcracker, turning the shell so that the arms of the nutcracker rest along the ridge where the shell would normally open. Start with the arms of the nutcracker at about the midpoint of the side of the shell.
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Step 3
Squeeze both arms of the nutcracker, slowly. Stop when the shell cracks open.
Things You'll Need
Napkin, paper towel or large plate Nutcracker and nut picks, or skewers Tip If you have trouble cracking the nut open, reposition the nut to see whether that makes it easier for the pressure from the nutcracker to force the nut open. Warning The pistachio shell might not pop open neatly. It is possible that the shell will splinter into smaller pieces. If you can’t get the entire shell off, dig the nutmeat out with a nut pick, which is a metal pick that often comes with nutcrackers, or use a skewer to dig inside the shell. Keep in mind that the nutmeat probably won’t be of the best quality because it hasn’t matured sufficiently. Don’t try to crack open the shell with your teeth. If the shell is tough, you’ll just end up with a sore jaw.
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references
What’s Cooking America; Linda’s Culinary Dictionary -- P; Linda Stradley; 2004
“The Observer”; Nutcracker Sweet; Nigel Slater; April 2000
Santa Barbara Pistachio Company: Frequently Asked Questions
references
What’s Cooking America; Linda’s Culinary Dictionary -- P; Linda Stradley; 2004
“The Observer”; Nutcracker Sweet; Nigel Slater; April 2000
Santa Barbara Pistachio Company: Frequently Asked Questions
A bowl of pistachios on a wooden table.
Image Credit: margouillatphotos/iStock/Getty Images
Image Credit: margouillatphotos/iStock/Getty Images
- Napkin, paper towel or large plate
- Nutcracker and nut picks, or skewers
If you have trouble cracking the nut open, reposition the nut to see whether that makes it easier for the pressure from the nutcracker to force the nut open.
The pistachio shell might not pop open neatly. It is possible that the shell will splinter into smaller pieces. If you can’t get the entire shell off, dig the nutmeat out with a nut pick, which is a metal pick that often comes with nutcrackers, or use a skewer to dig inside the shell. Keep in mind that the nutmeat probably won’t be of the best quality because it hasn’t matured sufficiently. Don’t try to crack open the shell with your teeth. If the shell is tough, you’ll just end up with a sore jaw.
Don’t try to crack open the shell with your teeth. If the shell is tough, you’ll just end up with a sore jaw.
What’s Cooking America; Linda’s Culinary Dictionary -- P; Linda Stradley; 2004
“The Observer”; Nutcracker Sweet; Nigel Slater; April 2000
Santa Barbara Pistachio Company: Frequently Asked Questions
