THE TOWERING PECAN TREES in southern New Mexico have grown near the Río Grande for more than 100 years. Many are attributed to Fabián García, the first director of the New Mexico State University Agricultural Experiment Station, who planted the trees in Mesilla around 1913. Today, they support a network of farmers who have cultivated the nuts for generations.
“Doña Ana County is the number one pecan-producing county in the United States,” says Kristen Worthington, president of the Las Cruces Pecan Festival, which takes place April 12–14. Worthington moved to New Mexico seven years ago after buying a pecan farm. She learned how to care for the trees and harvest the nuts during a three-day class at New Mexico State University. But after a year of selling her crop, she discovered a broader calling. “We decided to put in a shelling plant to help small farmers in the area,” Worthington says. “I started making products with the pecans, and then I decided we should put on a festival.”
The inaugural event features live music, cooking competitions, a kids’ Pecan Hunt, and plenty of vendors. “I can’t wait to show off another thing that makes New Mexico great,” Worthington says. Here are three ways she uses pecans.
Pecan milk. “It’s very easy to make,” says Kristen Worthington, who uses it to create lotions and soaps. “You can also use it for sauces and in coffee. It has a nice sweet flavor.”
Pecan tacos. “Pecans make a great meat substitute,” says Worthington, who paired the nuts with mushrooms for her recipe. “I’m not a vegan or a vegetarian, but I made them one night for my family, and all of the pecan tacos were gone. Everyone loved them.”
Pecan oil. “People haven’t heard much about it, but pecan oil is lower in saturated fat than olive oil,” she says. “It’s really healthy and tastes phenomenal.”
PECAN MUSHROOM TACOS
This flavorful vegetarian pecan taco recipe will blow you away. Give it a try!
- 2 Tablespoon Pecan Oil or Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic minced
- 1 Small Onion (diced)
- 5 Mushrooms (diced)
- 1 Hatch Chile or 2 Jalapeños (diced)
- 1 Tablespoon Tomato Bouillons
- 1 Cup Pecan chopped
SPECIAL SAUCE (optional but highly recommended)
- 3 Limes Juiced
- 1 Tablespoon capers minced
- 3 Jalapenos fine diced
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise
FIX INS
- Corn Tortillas warmed in pan
- Lime Wedges
- Cabbage shredded
- Cilantro chopped
- Queso Fresco or another cheese that you like
TACOS
- Put oil in a skillet and heat until hot. Add garlic and onion and cook until translucent then put in mushrooms and chilis or pepper and cook until done.
- Add tomato Bouillon and stir to incorporate.
- Before serving, add pecans to the pan and stir til coated.
SPECIAL SAUCE
- Cut limes into quarters and squeeze out the juice into a medium bowl.
- Dice and mince the capers and jalapenos and put into the bowl.
- Stir in dry seasonings (Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Cumin and Black Pepper). Then add the sour cream and mayonnaise.
- Make sure everything is well combined.
Set out fix ins in different bowls so everyone can put on their tacos what they like. Enjoy!
The daily grand entry, with participants in traditional regalia, is a highlight of the Gathering of Nations.
Photograph by Tira Howard.
GATHER TOGETHER
April 25-27
Indigenous excellence shines at the 41st annual Gathering of Nations at Albuquerque’s Expo New Mexico. One of the largest powwows in the world, the three-day event showcases stunning displays of traditional dance and regalia, as well as the Miss Indian World pageant, a massive market, the grand entry, live music, and more.
Discover chocolates, coffees, candies, baked goods and so much more at the Southwest Chocolate & Coffee Fest.
Photograph courtesy of the Southwest Chocolate & Coffee Fest.
NEW MEXICO RENAISSANCE CELTIC FESTIVAL
April 5-7
Enjoy three days of Renaissance fun at Edgewood’s Wildlife West Nature Park with jousting, sword dancing, Viking history, a time traveler’s celebration, pirates, and entertainers from around the world.
SAN JUAN COLLEGE INTERTRIBAL POWWOW
April 6
Traditional dancers from several tribes and pueblos perform at this spring benefit powwow organized by the Native American Center on the Farmington college campus.
SOUTHWEST CHOCOLATE & COFFEE FEST
April 6-7
The annual event brings more than 200 vendors and six stages, featuring cooking demos, live music, and cooking competitions, to Albuquerque’s Expo New Mexico.
¡MIRA! FESTIVAL
April 27
Explore food, outdoor fun, and arts and culture at the second-annual spring festival in Las Cruces.
Tour of the Gila attracts serious bikers.
Photograph courtesy of Tour of the Gila.
TOUR OF THE GILA
April 24-28
Now in its 37th year, the five-day cycling event draws worldwide elite pro and amateur teams that bike routes through and around Silver City.
See Los Lonely Boys in Roswell.
Photograph courtesy of Los Lonely Boys.
