a process is disclosed for producing crystalline nitrilotriacetonitrile from a solution of nitrilotriacetonitrile and water in excess of 95 ° c ., comprising : a . cooling the nitrilotriacetonitrile - water solution in a first stage to the range of about 70 ° c . to about 90 ° c ., preferably from about 80 ° c . to about 90 ° c ., and more preferably about 85 ° c ., to produce a nitrilotriacetonitrile water slurry ; and b . further cooling the nitrilotriacetonitrile - water slurry in a second stage to below about 35 ° c ., carried out either continuously or in a batch process . cooling in the first stage is preferably accomplished by recycling cooled nitrilotriacetonitrile - water slurry from the second stage . cooling in the second stage is preferably accomplished by vacuum cooling .