Nuts are an easy food to lean on during the festive season, including Christmas day!

They’re a must-have in summer salads, make ideal edible gifts (home-made chocolate panforte anyone?), and can be a life saver ahead of impromptu end-of-year gatherings.

Plus, they keep you nourished in the busy lead-up to Christmas. Pass the nuts please!

Celebrate SUMMER with these festive-season recipes:

Pine nut-crusted salmon with freekeh tabouli and garlic yoghurt

Looking for healthy meal inspiration ahead of the festive season? This flavour-filled, summery dish has you covered. The good-for-you salad includes smoked nuts, which add flavour and texture to any dish. Snack on any left-over nuts for a guaranteed energy boost at this busy time of year.  

Did you know? To keep nuts fresh for longer, especially during warmer months, store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Pearl barley, pine nut and almond salad

The sun is blazing, the lounge room is littered with paper, and everyone is hungry. It must be time for the main event: Christmas lunch! This wholesome, gut-loving salad will perfectly balance any richer flavours at the table. Among the tasty ingredients are some Christmas staples – crunchy nuts, and vibrant, red cranberries!

Did you know? Eating nuts can reduce energy (kilojoule) intake at later meals. In fact, studies show nut consumers eat significantly less kilojoules – by up to as much energy as the nuts provide – at their next meal! This is likely due to the filling combination of protein, fibre, and healthy fats in nuts.

Beetroot and walnut hummus

Does an impromptu end-of-year gathering put you in a spin? We hear you! Our simple, but oh-so-delicious beetroot and walnut hummus takes just 15 minutes to make. Cut up some vegetable sticks, warm some Turkish bread, or grab a packet of water crackers, and you’re done.

Nuts are nutritious snacks to swap out less healthy options. Studies show nut eaters have better quality diets, with higher amounts of nutrients like fibre, vitamin E, iron, magnesium and phosphorous.

Lime and macadamia parfait

Let’s face it, dessert is the real star of Christmas day! And this cool number, which features Australia’s native nut, tastes as good as it looks. Macadamias bring the most delicious rich and creamy flavours, which perfectly round out the acidity of the limes. A match made in heaven! 

Tip: Practice eating mindfully over the festive season. A good place to start is to savour each bite, noticing any distinct flavours. With nuts, depending on the type, this might vary from creamy and buttery, to floral and herbaceous.

Chocolate panforte

Chocolate panforte is a Christmas favourite for a reason. This traditional treat makes a thoughtful gift on its own, or as part of a home-made gourmet hamper, alongside coffee, dried figs, crackers, jam, and other pantry items. Or you could simply enjoy it yourself at the end of Christmas day – preferably with your feet up, and a cup of tea in hand!

The perfect edible gift? Nuts, of course! By gifting nuts – whether that be spiced nuts, nut-filled granola, or festive Florentines (to name just a few ideas!) – you’ll be giving the lucky recipient their daily dose of nuts.