Come fall, robust nutty flavors have heightened appeal. Distinctive crunchy almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts enliven everything from drinks to pasta. You’re sure to go nuts over these nutty Edina dishes.
HONEY-ROASTED HAZELNUTS
Pig & Fiddle
One good nut leads to another, then another—bet you can’t eat just one of these salty-sweet morsels. Spicy honey-roasted hazelnuts are addicting, especially with an icy craft beer in the company of good friends. “It’s kind of that bar thing, like peanuts. You have one or two and suddenly the bowl is gone,” says sous-chef Michael Phillips. A dash of cayenne and ginger powder livens up the flavor party. Clove honey offers floral notes. Fun times and fantastic food—isn’t that what a neighborhood pub is all about? $4.
NUTTY ESPRESSO
Agra Culture
The nutty espresso exemplifies the “eat well, be well” Agra Culture mantra. Nuts are blended into a mighty drink packed with protein and more—think cashew, banana, cinnamon, espresso, date and almond milk. This all-organic lineup fuels a deliciously healthy drink with a soothing silkiness. The caffeine completes this real power-refresher. “Watch out, once you taste it, you will be hooked,” says Aaron Switz, founder and CEO. Pair with a chicken/kale/brown rice-studded Agra bowl for a supercharged nutritious meal. $6.50, Agra bowl $10.50.
TAGLIATELLE DI POLLO E PINOLI
Arezzo
Tuscan-inspired pine nut dishes come in many forms at Arezzo. Call a pine nut by its Italian name, pinoli, and the stage is set for a lavish culinary encounter. Start your meal with the garden-fresh spinaci alla veneta. Expertly cooked leaves harbor a stash of crisp pine nuts. Shaved grana Padano caps the spinach, along with a glaze of olive oil. For a pine-nut-adorned appetizer, try the insalata di barbabietole. Roasted red and yellow beets, thick gorgonzola cream and tangy pistachio vinaigrette layer into ribbons of flavor. A bonus: The beet salad is large enough to share with your table. Now for the main course featuring pine nuts. The tagliatelle di pollo e pinoli is a menu staple and an edible dream. This vision includes chicken, tomatoes, rosemary and pine nuts. White wine sauce and dabs of goat cheese spill over every component. “Italian food preparation is always very simple, but with a lot of flavor,” says manager Cristina Monesterio. Yes, little pine nuts contribute to some big-tasting dishes. Spinach $6.95, beet salad $8.59, tagliatelle pasta $18.95.
PISTACHIO PORK
Cavé Vin
The pistachio pork showcases the fusion of New American cuisine with classic French preparation technique. Chopped pistachios encrust tender pan-seared and oven-baked pork. Fingerling potatoes with their jackets intact nestle alongside this generous cut of meat. Two pungent sauces draw everything together into a harmonious whole. An orange reduction sauce adds fruity freshness and a Saba sauce contributes an acidic tang resembling balsamic vinegar. The sophisticated grouping lives up to its Old World origins. It’s a classic that’s been on the menu since Cavé Vin opened in 2003. $19.
WHITE CHOCOLATE CARAMEL MACADAMIA NUT CHEESECAKE
The Cheesecake Factory
When it comes to cheesecake, there’s always room for dessert. Macadamia nuts radiate a savory buttery splendor. Everything about this cheesecake oozes indulgence: a blonde brownie crust, a cheesecake wedge infused with white chocolate chunks, chewy roasted macadamia nuts and puffs of caramel-drizzled whipped cream. “The large pieces of macadamia nuts really take this cheesecake over the top. It’s one of my personal favorites,” says executive pastry chef Chris Radovan. “And like all of our desserts at the Cheesecake Factory, it has a big over-the-top presentation that makes you want to take your first bite right away.” $7.95.
BUTTER PECAN ICE CREAM
Edina Creamery
Good ice cream knows no season, but butter pecan ice cream exemplifies autumn. A big scoop makes pecan or pumpkin pie seem like a holiday any day. Melt-in-your-mouth creaminess contrasts with crunchy nuts to create a memorable ice cream. The pecans break up the smoothness with a lingering sensation, and the sweet caramel flavor resembles pecan shortbread—only better because it’s ice cream. One scoop $3.71, two scoops $5.26, three scoops $6.26, pint $7.50, quart $13.60.
ALMOND TUNA MELT
Good Earth
The name gives away the surprise. Yes, a spread of almonds tops this sandwich. Better still, this is a sandwich you can feel good about because of the sourcing and quality of the ingredients. This tuna almond melt is healthy all the way around, with dolphin-safe albacore tuna, fresh tomato, low-fat mozzarella and seedy multigrain bread. Extra touches make the difference, with toasted almonds and cheese melted to a crackling brown on bread that’s baked fresh daily at Parasole Bakery. The effect is comforting and filling. “That hominess is what people are looking for, reminiscent of our childhood—warm and satisfying,” says executive chef Corinne Sherbert DeCamp. $12.25.
HOUSEMADE PEOPLES VEGGIE BURGER
Peoples Organic
Nuts are a welcome addition in this veggie burger. Roasted and ground cashews make the Peoples veggie burger meaty. A bunch of vegetables, chickpeas and spices go into the housemade blend, says executive chef/owner Ray Roberts. The inclusion of short-grain brown rice transforms the mix into a complete protein. But the veggie burger is more than just healthy, brimming with fresh ingredients and loads of trimmings—it tastes great too. Cumin and garlic offer a good depth of flavor without getting overly spicy, says Roberts. It’s zippy and made with care right down to the condiments. Even the sundried tomato aioli is housemade from scratch. $11.50.
HANDCRAFTED GRANOLA
50th Street Café
No two granola recipes are alike. The addition of nuts makes this one-of-a-kind granola more substantive and tasty. Each batch is handcrafted and baked to toasty perfection; no shortcuts here. While the 50th Street Café is better known for its lavish breakfast entrées, its granola deserves equal consideration. The dish is proof that a healthy choice can be just as enticing and satisfying as more indulgent options. This granola will make your mouth water. The addition of Greek yogurt seals the deal. A rainbow of fresh fruit provides the perfect accent. $8.95.
DATE-NUT TEA BREAD
Wuollet Bakery
Dense, walnut-studded sweetbread begs for a cup of coffee or tea, and this tea bread has all the makings for a leisurely coffee break. Sporting a moist crumb and a profusion of dates, it’s a splurge, but not too much. Tidy loaves are easily cut into portable slices for practical snacking. This nutty bread will take the edge off any day. Gild the lily with a slather of soft butter or cream cheese. Call to pre-order one day ahead. $8.05.
