Hickory nut

Highly favored in baking, the pecan is the most popular variety of hickory nut, mainly because of its thin shell, which allows easy access to the nut meat. The common hickory nut has an especially hard, thick shell that is traditionally removed using a hammer swung with great force. It has a rich, buttery flavor due to its high fat content. The word hickory is derived from a Virginia Indian name for a food item, made from crushed hickory nuts, called pawcohiccora.