They’re common in parts of the southwest US too-piñon. Very very tasty.
Pesto is a popular recipe with pine nuts.
Also, pine nuts are very expensive, here in Spain at least.
But where they common in ancient times? Or are they things like tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, corn, chocolate, etc. that were introduced after Columbus?
They are native to the Mediterranean and pine nuts have been eaten for millennia there [1].