We have an old Walnlut tree at the bottom of our hill, and today my son and I went for a walk and found probably 200 or more walnuts. We opened them and they looked perfectly normal, but tasting them they tasted sort of "raw." Are walnuts usually roasted for a while? Could the taste be because they may have sat under snow a good part of the winter (the shells were perfectly in-tact, and the nut inside not rotten.) Any insight here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-- Nancy in WV (CelticFrau@aol.com), February 22, 2001

Answers

Walnuts are usually airdryed before using. They can be dried by hanging the husked nuts (without the green or brown husk) in onion bags in a dry area.

For more detailed information go to:

http://198.209.8.166/sheproom/periodicals/bittersweet/fa79h.htm

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), February 22, 2001.

Nancy, We are tripping over walnuts right after the first frost here in the Ozarks. We pick them up and let them air dry. Leaving them on the ground will cause them to get too wet and break down, (creating little walnut trees in the Spring). If they are dark inside they will have a very raw or moldy taste. If the are white on the inside they should taste alright. Sincerely, Erenst www.communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks

-- Ernest in the Ozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), February 22, 2001.

If the nut is fully formed they are 'ripe' they just need to dry to 'cure' freezing temp.are no problem [will help drying] so they can hung in unheated areas they do need air all around them or they can mold.

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), February 23, 2001.

Thanks for the answers. They are hanging in a 3-tier basket near the woodburner as we speak!

Nancy in WV

-- Nancy in WV (CelticFrau@aol.com), March 01, 2001.

Remember too, that what you have is probably a black walnut tree and not the milder tasting English Walnut you can buy in stores.

I'm from Northcentral WV--where are you at?

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), March 01, 2001.

Can black walnuts be made to be palatable.. i think i must have tried one that was 'raw' because it was quite nasty. i generally can eat about anything- and am an avid lover of wild plants and such (to eat), but raw black walnuts were not for me... I will try the drying bit next fall and see how that goes

-- Kevin in NC (vantravlrs@aol.com), April 12, 2001.