Soccer fans and sports enthusiasts all over the world are getting ready for the most highly anticipated and largest sporting event of the summer which kicks off in Brazil on June 12th. Viewing party hosts everywhere will need to be ready to go with some innovative snack ideas for their soccer-loving guests – multiplied by 64 for all of the matches on schedule. What kind of snacks, you ask? Well, they need to be great tasting, versatile and healthy to keep viewing enthusiasm up and calories down. Nothing fits this bill better than Wonderful® Pistachios, America’s favorite soccer snack nut.
As former Mexican Women’s National Soccer team captain, Monica Gonzalez can personally attest to the importance of eating nutritious foods to lead a healthy lifestyle, both on and off the field. This top female athlete turned sports commentator knows that smart snacking in between rigorous practices, games or running from the press box to the soccer field is important for maintaining energy – and replenishing key nutrients, like protein and fiber, with good-for-you snacks is an easy and healthy way to refuel. Gonzalez’s role in the sports world has changed over the years, but her snack of choice has not: Wonderful Pistachios continue to be the snack Gonzalez turns to for that perfect balance of flavor, freshness and all-around snacking enjoyment.
“Two of my favorite things have always been soccer and salty snacks,” shared Gonzalez, “and to me, the ‘crack’ and delicious taste of pistachios are uniquely satisfying. Having worn the green jersey as captain of the Mexican Women’s National Team, pistachios – the only green nut – are special to me, which is why I’m thrilled to be working with Wonderful Pistachios this summer. That’s why I’m offering my own delicious Latin- inspired pistachio pairings. These snack pairings are perfect to indulge in while rooting for your favorite team and they will get families everywhere ‘crackin’’ with ‘futbol’ fever!”
To promote her partnership with Wonderful Pistachios, Gonzalez will be traveling to select U.S. cities this summer, right up to the first soccer match in Brazil on Thursday, June 12th to kick off the biggest soccer tournament. She will share the campaign’s Latin-inspired flavors and pairings, as well as her passion for fútbol.
Latin-Inspired Snacks
Wonderful Pistachios is ready to elevate all soccer enthusiasts’ snacking experiences during viewing parties. The seven unique pairing ideas offer a tasty tour of Latin flavors, enhancing the excitement of cracking open the shell. These pairings include pistachios + guava paste (ate de guayaba) + panela cheese; pistachios + jamón serrano + papaya and pistachios + pitted green olives + cubed thick-cut ham, among others. Try one of the pairings today by using one of Wonderful Pistachios popular varieties, like the Lightly Salted and No Salt versions.
Known as the “Skinny Nut”, pistachios are one of the lowest fat, lowest calorie nuts available and offer more nuts per serving compared to most other popular snack nuts. In fact, 30 pistachios make a satisfying and delicious snack for about 100 calories per serving.
About Monica Gonzalez
González was a founding member in 1998 of the Mexican Women’s National team and helped lead the team in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She captained the team from 2003 – 2007, including the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece – the nation’s first appearance in Olympic soccer competition. González has also played in several Gold Cups and FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers for Mexico. She officially joined ESPN in September 2011 as a soccer commentator, following her successful debut as a studio analyst during the network’s unprecedented coverage of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany. González serves as a sideline reporter for Major League Soccer, the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams on ESPN and is a contributor to espn W, ESPN’s digital platform for female athletes and fans.
About Wonderful® Pistachios
The Wonderful Pistachios brand features upscale, premium packaging and a bold contemporary look, appealing to a sophisticated, health-conscious consumer. Wonderful Pistachios are grown in the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural heartland of California. Grown, processed and packaged by Paramount Farms, Wonderful Pistachios are available at retail outlets and grocery stores nationwide and are available in a variety of sizes.
About Paramount Farms
Paramount Farms is a grower and processor of almonds and pistachios, with more than 80,000 acres of prime pistachio and almond orchards. Paramount Farms is part of the Paramount Agricultural Companies, a group of privately-owned, affiliated companies which comprise the largest farming operation of tree crops in the world.