Pistachios

Why They're Good:

These certified-organic pistachios are grown without the use of pesticides or fungicides. The Zannon family, who started farming in 1991, hot-air-dries their pistachios to 180 degrees (as opposed to the typical 220 degrees), allowing them to retain their natural oils. And flavors, like onion-garlic roast and Chile-lemon, are brined into the nut kernel, not sprayed onto the shell. Pistachios are also a heart-healthy snack high in potassium, vitamin B-6, thiamin and phosphorus.

Why They're Green:

Santa Barbara Pistachios doesn't waste one iota of its product. It presses pistachio pieces for oil (a dense, nutty oil great for sautéing vegetables or in a salad dressing with orange juice, honey and shallots) and sells the resulting meal, which is great for encrusting chicken or fish. The Zannons use the shells on their roads for dust control and as a heat source for pellet stoves

Where To Get Them:

www.santabarbarapistachios.com  | $7-$28

16-ounce bags are $7.00 each; you can also buy a four-pound gift box, which comprises a pound of each of their most popular flavors (salted, onion-garlic roast, hickory smoked and Chile lemon) for $28.00.