On November 21^st, the country celebrates a favorite nut that actually isn’t a nut at all – the cashew. Cashews are technically seeds. Whatever they are, they are crunchy, slightly sweet and delicious.

Native to Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, cashew trees were spread all over the world by Portuguese explorers. When you buy “raw cashews,” they aren’t really raw. Cashews have a toxic outer shell that has to be roasted in order to get to the edible cashew kernel.

Cashews also called Bombay nuts, are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Read How Counting on Cashews Can Transform Your Food and Your Health and How Cashews Can Help With Stress and Anxiety.

They are also extremely versatile and work in both sweet and savory dishes. Check out these 30 Unbelievable Recipes Made with Cashews. If you like to cook, you probably know that cashews are more than a healthy, yummy snack or something to toss in your Chinese food for texture. You may know that we can use cashews to make non-dairy milk, cream, cheese and of course, cashew butter. There are even more innovative ways to use cashews in cooking and turn them into something completely different – something you might not believe was made with cashews. Take a look at all the different ways to use cashews in 10 Food Hacks with Cashews and then try these 10 incredible foods you didn’t know you could make with cashews.

1. Lemon Panna ‘Cotta’ With Raspberry Sauce

Panna cotta may seem intimidating; after all, chefs get it wrong on TV all the time. This raw Lemon Panna ‘Cotta,’ however, is foolproof – there’s no cooking involved! This dessert, made with cashews, is light and fresh, and the maple syrup gives it a slight flavor of caramel. A sauce of perfectly ripe raspberries and blackberries makes it a truly divine treat and a must-try!

2. Pumpkin Gnocchi in Spiced Butter with Lemon Cashew Cream

This Pumpkin Gnocchi may look like a gourmet dish, but it couldn’t be easier to make. Luscious homemade pumpkin gnocchi are blanketed in richly spiced butter sauce and lemon cashew cream. This beautiful dish is on the menu at Chez You.

3. Simple Red Pepper Bruschetta with Homemade Roasted Garlic Ricotta

This Simple Red Pepper Bruschetta with Homemade Roasted Garlic Ricotta is about as easy as it gets. Tomatoes and red peppers taste so good on top of toast and with a generous smear of creamy, garlicky homemade cashew ricotta. These bruschetta are dressed to impress so serve them at your next dinner party.

4. Mango Macarons

Your taste buds are about to take a vacation to the tropics with these refreshing Mango Macarons. Aquafaba is the base for the crispy almond-mango shells, and they are filled with a luscious raw cashew-mango buttercream that can be whipped up in seconds. These are so beautiful, everyone will think you got these at a gourmet bakery.

5. Collard Spring Rolls with Cashew Mustard

We all know cashews make great mayo and sour cream, but it also makes delicious mustard. These Collard Spring Rolls are vibrant, fresh, and super tasty! All the colors of the rainbow are included in one hand-held roll, for a lunch or snack that’s as pretty as it is good for you. Tangy-sweet cashew “honey” mustard sauce ties the whole affair together. Delicious!

6. Creamy Cashew Pasta Alfredo

You don’t need butter and cream to make a decadent Alfredo sauce. This Creamy Cashew Alfredo Pasta is a rich and creamy dish made with nutritional yeast and cashews instead of heavy cream. It has sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and roasted red peppers for extra flavor and you can add a spicy kick with red pepper flakes.

7. Raw Lemon Lime Cheesecake

Cashews and coconut go together like lemon and lime. This raw Lemon Lime Cheesecake is rich and decadent, yet refreshing at the same time! The tart lemon and lime flavors cut through the richness of the cashews and coconut. This is definitely a dessert to show off to all your friends!

8. Creamy Cashew and Chestnut Soup

Adding cashews to soup makes it thick and creamy. This Creamy Cashew and Chestnut Soup is a lovely, rich soup that’s perfect for winter weather. Pureed potatoes and cashew cream help give this nutty soup a creamy texture without the dairy.

9. Overnight Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Cashew Frosting

You’ve heard of overnight oats but Overnight Cinnamon Rolls? Yes! Just mix up the dough the night before and leave it to rise in the fridge overnight. In the morning, with a little bit of time and patience you can have fresh cinnamon rolls topped with yummy vanilla cashew frosting. It will be the fastest you’ve ever gotten out of bed.

10. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cashews make smooth and creamy ice cream. In these Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches, a little bit of spirulina gives the ice cream that classic mint ice cream color we all know and love. Homemade chocolate chips and walnut-date cookies make these irresistible.

Cashews are delicious, versatile, and healthy. What will you use them for to celebrate National Cashew Day? Tell us in the comments.

Lead Image Photo: Lemon Panna ‘Cotta’ with Raspberry Sauce