When you think of the South and food, a number of tasty recipes no doubt come to mind. But no matter if your main dish is fried chicken or barbecued pork, and regardless of whether you have cornbread or grits for a side, chances are you’re going to cap your delicious meal off with pecans.
That’s because pecans are a Southern dessert staple. Your meal isn’t complete without pecan shortbread, pralines, or the most well-known pecan delight of them all: pecan pie. Whichever one of these is your favorite, you should know that there’s no wrong answer when it comes to pecans. But if you prefer to skip dessert, (we know people have their reasons—we won’t judge), you can still enjoy pecans as a healthy snack. Stuff them in a bag or a box, or just grab a handful! Pecans taste great, they’re filling, and they’re good for you.
Although many people know Georgia for our peaches, (which is not a bad thing, of course), we also want to share with you that Georgia is tops when it comes to pecans. We really mean that; Georgia tops all other states when it comes to pecan production. You may decide to visit for the peaches, but you should stay for the pecans!
But enough about pecan production. Let’s get back to talking about eating pecans. Just how good for you are they? Extremely good, as it turns out. Just one ounce of pecans has 10% of your daily recommended amount of fiber according to FDA guidelines. Pecans are also rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals such as zinc, copper, and manganese. When you eat pecans on their own, they are naturally sodium-free and low in sugar. And pecans are a gluten-free snack!
Since Georgia is all about pecans, you probably figure that Thomasville is too. And you’re right! One of the largest producers of pecans in Southwest Georgia is Collins Pecan. They’ve been in the pecan business for generations. And they have a gift shop right here in Thomasville. They’ve got pecan pieces for sale as well as pralines, jams and preserves, and other sweet things. Gift baskets and corporate gifts are their specialty. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor—stop by Collins Pecan and take a little bit of Thomasville with you to commemorate your visit. You’ll be glad that you did. The biggest challenge you’ll face is getting those pecans home without eating them all first!
