Food is always a festive way to usher in the New Year. For those get-togethers with family and friends, let the Coop help you provide healthful nut snacks to your guests. It carries all the ingredients you need for the following recipes.

With all the recipes, the nuts should be put on a parchment-lined baking sheet before going into the oven. Store these nutty snacks in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, or freeze until needed.

Healthy Eating and Happy New Year!

Maple Nuts

1/4 cup maple syrup
3 TBS butter
2 TBS raw sugar
11/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 lb. almonds

Combine all ingredients except nuts, bring to boil, stirring constantly, and boil half a minute. Remove from heat and add nuts to coat evenly. Bake at 325° for about 30 minutes, or until dry and crisp, stirring every 15 minutes.

Honeyed Nuts

3 cups nuts
1/2 cup honey
2 TBS butter
1/2 tsp each grated orange peel and cinnamon

Mix ingredients together and bake in a 325° oven until toasted.

Hot Nuts

4 cups nuts
1 TBS chili powder
1 TBS each honey and water
1/2 tsp cayenne or to taste

Lightly spray nuts with water. Sprinkle with chili powder and toss well. Combine honey, water and cayenne and bring to a boil. Remove and mix with nuts. Bake at 300° for one-half hour, stirring every 10 minutes, until lightly browned.

Savory Nuts

2 cups nuts
21/2 TBS melted butter
2 tsp dried, crumbled rosemary
11/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne

Mix all ingredients together and roast in a 350° oven for 10 minutes, or until brown, stirring occasionally.

Dilly Nuts

2 cups almonds
2 tsp butter
3/4 tsp dried dill weed
1/2 tsp seasoned salt

Bake almonds at 325° for 25 minutes. Melt butter and add dill and salt. Mix well with nuts, then drain.

Ginger Nuts

1 cup almonds
2 TBS butter
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ginger

Mix nuts and butter and bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until brown, stirring occasionally. Drain, sprinkle with salt and ginger and toss to mix.

Snappy Nuts

2 cups nuts
1 tsp lemon juice
1 TBS oil
1/4 tsp each garlic and onion powders
1 TBS soy sauce or tamari
1 tsp honey or molasses
1/2 tsp ginger

Bake nuts in a 325° oven for 5 minutes. Combine with remainder of ingredients and bake 10 minutes, turning once.

Spicy Nuts

10 oz. nuts
11/2 TBS each butter and Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
8 tsp chili powder
Dash hot pepper sauce