Kroger (Texas/Louisiana) ~ Other: A little about the nuts (on sale right now, of course)...

[j-leec]

The nuts pictured in this weeks ad, shows shelled Pecans 12oz for $3.77 (they are from a TX orchard). They also have 16oz bags of Almonds and Walnuts form CA for the same price. These are raw, unseasoned nuts that can be used for baking, adding to salads of many different variations, or eating as a snack. I only ever buy salt-free nuts for health reasons, and until recently, that meant only buying nuts from the produce or baking sections. When I first noticed this sale about a month ago, I tried a bag of each and, to my amazement; they were the BEST I've ever purchased. The quality of the nuts can't be beat. The Pecan and Walnut packaging have a warning that shell pieces might be in there, but we've gone through several bags and NOT ONE shell piece has been found. The nuts are beautiful, crunchy, and tasty. The Almonds and Pecans have that little bit of sweetness you generally miss in recipes unless you add almond or pecan extract.

Not only are the nuts significantly better in quality than even the best brands of baking nuts, but at $3.77 a pound (or 12 oz. for Pecans) they are also DOLLARS cheaper than any of the brands I have seen in the baking goods section over the past year or so. Unless you have some good Fisher or Diamond coupons and a GOOD sale to make them really cheap, I don't think the nuts in the produce section can be beat.

I noticed on a display tag that the nuts will stay at this price until mid-January, which gives me 8 or 9 more weeks to keep building my stock, because after that, who knows what the price is likely to jump to. I know Pecans freeze well for quite some time, I'm not sure about Almonds and Walnuts. I'm hoping they keep for a long time, too. If you know about nut storage, I'm happy to learn from you.

I encourage you to get healthy and snack on nuts; salt free/preservative free plain ole nuts. Unless, you or a family member is highly allergic, nuts are EXTREMELY healthy. They provide oils and omegas that you cannot get from many plant sources. Nuts also have a little fiber and it only takes 3-4 oz (less than 1/2 cup to get the benefits from all their nutrients. Make your own trail mix. Use salt free dried fruit like raisins, Crazins, banana slices, if you want. I don't put cracker type stuff in mine because of all the extra salt, and other undesirable ingredients. I LOVE putting m&ms into my mix, not too many, but it helps my little sweet cravings without too much sugar & salt. (No, I am not afraid of salt, I happen to take a medication that has enough salt in it to match the suggested intake for an entire day and with high blood pressure in my family, I have to stay cautious. EVERYONE NEEDS some salt, your brain will not function properly with out a minimal amount.) I've always wanted to try one of those "sweet-n-salty" granola bars or snack mixes, but, no. I'll stick with my tasty nuts and a few m&ms *Dark Chocolate ones*.

I didn't mean to write a book, here. Just wanted to let you know about the nuts. Hope you go and give them a try. Tell me what you think!!

[pedspeech]

These are a little more in our region, but I am going to share your insight in our regional thread. Thanks for letting us know about your experiences!

I have personally kept almonds and walnuts in the freezer for a long time (sorry, I can't give more specifics on an amount of time but I would say at least a year) and never noticed a change in quality.

[chriscree]

These are the only nuts I ever buy. I stock up at this time of year and they last in the freezer till the next. Last year they were 4.99 a lb. so this is deffinatly a stock up price. Like the OP said they are delicious and healthy.

[danas_mom]

Just wanted to agree that any kind of nut freezes extremely well, and can go from freezer to recipe (or mouth, heh) without any thaw time.

[jaws1]

I've frozen fresh shelled nuts of different varieties for at least 2yrs ... still fine! (quit bothering to write exp. date LONG time ago) ... same with raisins, coconut in bag ... some things just seem to stay good "forever" in freezer! (even with defrosting/cleaning and putting back in!)

[macase]

J-leec you are so right about the quality of the nuts. I am stocking up on them right now for the holidays. I make pecan brittle and give it as christmas gifts. The almonds I use for making home made granola the walnuts I use in baking. This is such a great buy. We live where pecan trees are abundant and we do pick them up, but I am making brittle to sell at our local flea market in December so I need to stock up now.

[esquala]

Thank you so much! MIL has tons of pecan trees but we usually end up giving those to the squirrels because we're too lazy to shell them LOL.

That is an excellent price, and I'm glad to know they all freeze well. I used to eat frozen almonds all the time - made them crunchier. YUM!

[$dontleaveme]

No nuts pictured in north Houston ad. I know walnuts were on sale last week, but at least a dollar higher than that.

[savingirl]

They are great, I have been buyin a couple of bags each time I go to the store. My family loves them. I will pick up lots more now that you say they will freeze well!

[zoeys_mom]

Thanks for the info, I typically am cheap and get them from my in laws(they have pecan trees) or from my office(they have a pecan tree too)
Might have to try to work some of these into a deal. I just snacked on some Almonds today at work and I couldn't get enough, yummy!