By Donna Rocker, Ag in the Classroom Coordinator478-474-0679, ext. 5365

Pecans – A Nutty Part of a Healthy DietIs it “PEE-can” or “Pa-KAWN?” According to one national survey, “PEE-can” is the overwhelming choice of pronunciation among Americans. No matter how you say it, pecans taste good AND they are loaded with health benefits. While Americans tend to focus on pecans as an ingredient in snacks and baked goods, this delicious nut is also good in entrees and salads. Match the words with the statements below and then find the words in the Word Search to learn a few facts about pecans. To learn more about pecans, including storage and recipes, try the following web sites. Georgia Pecan Commission: www.georgiapecans.org National Pecan Shellers Asso-ciation: www.ilovepecans.org

1. An oblong, edible nut that usu-ally has a thin shell and grows on a tree found in the central and southern U.S.

2. Pecan trees are a member of this family of trees.

3. Pecans are native to this coun-try and were a wild nut used by Indian tribes.

4. Pecan is a word from this Amer-ican Indian tribe that translates as “all nuts requiring a stone to crack.”

5. The first known cultivated pecan tree plants are thought to have taken place in the late 1600s or early 1700s in the northern part of this country.

6. The first U.S. plantings of pe-cans took place in this state.

7. This state leads the nation in pecan production.

8. These are the peak harvesting

months for Georgia pecans. (three words to find on the Word Search)9. Pecans are nutrient dense and a good source of this.10. Eating pecans can help lower this kind of cholesterol.11. Pecans are also a good source of this, which we need for

good colon health.12. Pecan trees are also prized for this because they make

beautiful furniture, flooring and paneling.13. Pecans are perishable because they have a high ______

content and must be properly stored to maintain quality.14. Shelled pecans must be _____________ and should not be

stored at room temperature.15. Pecans can be kept for up to 2 years using this preservation

method.16. In 1982 the pecan was established as the official nut of this

state.17. The pecan was adopted as the state tree of this state in

1919.18. This is designated as National Pecan Month.

A. Georgia B. RefrigeratedC. United StatesD. New YorkE. FiberF. HickoryG. Oil

H. LumberI. PecanJ. BadK. ProteinL. October, November,

December

M. MexicoN. AprilO. AlabamaP. TexasQ. AlgonquinR. Freezing

Kid’s Corner Answer Key:

1 – I

2 – F

3 – C

4 – Q

5 – M

6 – D

7 – A

8 – L

9 – K

10 – J

11 – E

12 – H

13 – G

14 – B

15 – R

16 – O

17 – P

18 – N