Macadamia nut, also known as Queensland nut, Bush nut, Maroochi nut, and Bauple nut, is a native of Australia where it is locally referred to as boomberaa, jindilli or gyndl. Though there are many species of this nut, only two varieties are commercially produced and today this healthy nut is grown and produced in many places such as South Africa, California, Brazil, Costa Rica, Bolivia, New Zealand, Kenya, Malawi, Israel and Columbia. This nutritious nut is covered in a hard shell that can be cracked with a hammer. There are various Macadamia nut recipes that are native to each region and the nice flavor of these dishes is because of the macadamia nut.
History of Macadamia Nut Recipes
Macadamia nuts have been native to Australia where the aboriginals ate this nut called gyndl or jindilli by these people. Many years later, when the Europeans, specifically Allan Cunningham, settled in Australia discovered the plant of macadamia in the year 1828. This was followed by other settlers finding out more about the nut and then in the year 1882, it was taken to Hawaii for cultivation by William Herbert Purvis. The first known domestication of this nut in Australia was carried out in the year 1858. Today, Hawaii is the largest producer of the macadamia nuts followed by Australia. Many macadamia nut recipes are popular all over the world today. The highly energy levels of certain nut rich foods is usually a result of including macadamia nut.
Culinary Uses of Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts and macadamia nut recipes are considered gourmet by many people. This nut is an expensive delicacy, but the delicious flavor of macadamia nut recipes ensures it has a large number of people wanting to consume more of it. There are many culinary uses to macadamia nuts such as being used in casseroles, chocolates, chocolate chip cookies, fudge, cheese balls etc. Studies have shown that the high calorie content along with high mono saturated fat content (which is cholesterol friendly) makes macadamia nut the preferred choice amongst nuts.
Popular Macadamia Nut Recipes of Various Cuisines
Macadamia nuts make some excellent dishes. Some popular recipes of macadamia nuts are –
- Macadamia Cheese Ball – This snack is made with macadamia nuts, onions, butter and orange.
- Macadamia Nut Fudge – The ingredients that go into making this macadamia nut recipe are macadamia nuts, chocolate, marshmallow crème, butter, sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and nuts. The fudge is flavored with vanilla extract.
- Ginger and Macadamia Ice cream – This ginger flavored ice cream is made with cream, macadamia nuts, egg yolks, vanilla beans and sugar. This is a delicious and nutritious food.
Other popular macadamia nut recipes are Orange Macadamia Biscotti, Candied Macadamia Nuts, Glazed Macadamia Nuts, Spaghetti with Gorgonzola and Macadamia Nuts, Mahimahi with Citrus Sauce, Apple Bananas and Macadamia nuts, etc. Many chocolate based snacks in America get their flavor from macadamia nuts.
Macadamia Nut Recipe: Trivia
Macadamia nuts are not suitable for dogs, as it is difficult for them to digest the nuts and this can lead to toxicosis in the dogs.
Till the start of the 19th century, macadamia nuts were known only to the aborigines of Australia.
