When Americans think of macaroons, they usually think of a cookie made with coconut. Macaroons are actually cookies made using egg whites and ground or powdered nuts. This is a pistachio macaroon from the Miele dessert stall next to the gelato stall at the San Francisco Ferry Building.

The macaroons I’ve had in the past have been too sweet for me. I take one bite and the sweetness hurts my teeth. This one was different. Not as sweet, and the ground pistachios really came through.

Aloha, Nate