Are pecans and walnuts the same?

No, pecans and walnuts are not the same. They are different types of nuts, with pecans having a sweeter, buttery flavor and a softer texture, while walnuts have a more bitter taste and a firmer texture. Additionally, their nutritional profiles and culinary uses differ, with pecans often used in desserts and walnuts commonly used in salads and baking. Visually, they also differ, as pecans have a smoother shell and a darker, elongated shape compared to the rounder, ridged surface of walnuts.