Raw Broken Pistachios (Halabi Kasr)

Raw broken pistachios, known in Lebanon as fistuq halabi kasr, are pistachio kernels sold in pieces rather than whole, and unroasted. Because they are already broken, they are handy in the kitchen with no extra chopping needed. They are commonly sprinkled over Lebanese sweets such as knafeh, mhalabiyeh, ashta desserts and baklava, mixed into maamoul fillings, scattered over rice and meat dishes, or added to ice cream, cakes and granola. Many cooks toast them lightly at home before use. At Dekenet Al Nes, a package-free grocery store in Baaqline, in the Chouf, they are sold by the kilo, and customers are encouraged to bring their own containers and refill, cutting down on plastic and single-use packaging. Dekenet Al Nes is a solidarity initiative that aims to keep basic goods affordable while reducing environmental costs.