The Pan American Union has been around since 1890. It is an organization, a group of countries in the Americas-North, South, and Central, working to form alliances, American solidarity, and help to defend their sovereignty. The organization is called the Organization of American States. April 14th is Pan American Day. It is a day to learn about different cultures, histories, people, and food from this hemisphere.
I found this booklet from the Pan American Union “In Our Hemisphere…Brazil Nuts”, 1948, when I was looking for books on Brazil nuts for my sub collection of nuts, in my collection of trees. It is one of many booklets that have been published by Pan Am Union. I just ordered another Pan American pamphlet from the 1930s that was about folk tales and songs of the Americas, featuring 20 countries.
The article on Brazil nuts is quite good. Brazil nuts come from very tall trees, that can live to over 1000 years. Production from plantations is very difficult, so most nuts are harvested in wild forests. The nut is large like a coconut, with the nuts that we are familiar with, are like orange wedges inside.
Another Brazil nut book is “Frutas Brasil” by Silvester Silva and Hernâni Donato, 1991. This is a beautiful book of Brazilian fruits and nuts, by a Brazilian photographer. It is written in both Portuguese and English. Bought it from a book dealer from Brazil.
Again, there is a picture of how a Brazil nut looks-very coconut-like. The large nut can weigh over four pounds, and will fall from a height of up to 100 feet.
What can you do with Brazil nuts? I have the booklet “A Parade of Brazil Nut Recipes” by Kernel Nut of Brazil (?) published 1950. There are some great recipes in here-the Dark Fruit Cake, and the Brazil Nut Chocolate Roll with Chocolate Brazil Nut Filling both look tasty. Has a picture on page one of “Amazon Nut Cracker” made by Stuber and Kuck Co. Peoria, Illinois. And “Fascinating Recipes you have never tried!” published 1950? There are two more recipes I want to try-Brazil Nut Fudge and Brazil Nut Toffee. This booklet also has a picture of Amazon Nut Cracker”. So, ‘squirrel’… just spent 45 minutes trying to find that nutcracker on line with no luck.
I do have this vintage nut cracker, given to me by my mother-in-law. First, I think because she knew I collect odd things, and she also collected odd things, and she wanted to give her stuff to someone who would appreciate them. I do. And second, I think she was telling me metaphorically, that women rule the world, and will crush us men if we argue too much (or that if I harmed her daughter, what would happen to me.) I got the message.
Thanks for reading. I have a rhetorical question. What do they call Brazil nuts in Brazil? Are they just nuts?
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