Isn't "nogal" a pecan tree?
I'm from Texas where the word "nogal" I thought meant pecan tree. The Spanish dictionary says it means walnut. Can the word be used both ways? Thanks, Roland
7 Answers
pacana = pecan
nogal = walnut (tree, wood)
nuez = walnut (fruit)
Your mileage may vary, depending on where you are. Pecans and walnuts are very similar.
I live in Nueces County, Texas and always have been told that nueces means pecan but I believe it is a mis-pronunciation of the spanish words nuez lisa. Nogal is generally known as walnut.
I think there are a number of translations for "nogal", depending on where you are. It seems to mean anything from "walnut tree" to "hickory". "Nogal americano" seems to refer to the tree or wood, rather than the nut.
When I checked my dictionary "walnut" was translated simply as "nuez", but "walnut tree" translated as "nogal" or "árbol de nogal".
"Pecan" translated as "pacana", "árbol de pacana" or "nuez de pacana".
The whole point here is that if you have heard the word "nogal" used in Texas for "pecan", that's probably correct in the Lone Star State.
Nogal is the common walnut tree.
OK, I know I'm late to the party, but here is my 2 cents. I'm from Texas and here is how is know it. Basically, everyone is right in a way. Nuez is the singular word for nut or pecan. Nueces is the plural form - nuts or pecans. Neuz actually/technically means nut but has become to be used as pecan. I know no other Spanish word for pecan and I have never personally heard pecana - however that could be "spanglish" used in certian areas. Nogal is walnut.
Okay, I just made pecan pie for Thanksgiving and the Mexicans that I had dinner with all called Pecans nuez.
the word nuez means nut, and nueces is the plural of the word.
