Pinheiro do Parana – Araucaria – Curi
“Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong.”
Winston Churchill
This solitary tree lives in my parent’s ranch. It produces Pinhão, and when it is in season is always my favorite time of the year. Growing up, I eagerly waited for the trees to start dropping its beautify cones full of pine nuts. They are green and large, resemble the durian fruit, and the seeds on their interior look just like the ones from a regular pine cone. But they are larger, and can be cooked in water or grilled.
Pinhão looks like its cousin Pine Nuts, but it is softer, and its taste is much more subtle. It is used in both sweet and savory dishes, and has high nutritional value.
Because they are considered an endangered species, the trees have been protected by federal legislation since as early as 1797. In fact, it is illegal to sell its seeds outside of the legally permitted season, and since 2001 is also illegal to cut this tree down.
Pinheiro do Parana, Araucaria, or in the Tupi Indians language who inhabited this area – Curi – is a tree from the pine family. It has been around for over 200 million years, and usually lives for 200 to 300, but could live up to 500 years.
This species is only found in the south of Brazil, more specifically in the state of Parana. Curitiba, which is my hometown and the capital of the state means in Tupi abundance of pine trees. Curi (originally Ku’ri ) means pine tree , and tüba, which later became Tiba means abundance, a lot of.
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