Buzz
Black walnuts, indigenous to North America, possess a robust flavor distinct from the English variety commonly found in stores. Their tough shells necessitate a specific approach to harvest. Wait until early autumn to gather them when they reach peak ripeness. After collection, meticulously remove the husks and air-dry the nuts within their shells before cracking them open to reveal the nutmeat.
Essential Steps
Harvesting Black Walnuts
Shield your hands with gloves to prevent staining. Black walnut hulls contain a potent pigment that readily adheres to skin and fabric. Don heavy-duty gardening gloves before handling the nuts to safeguard your hands.
- Consider donning a helmet to shield your head from falling nuts as an added precaution.
Optimal Time for Harvesting Black Walnuts Harvest black walnuts during the late stages of September or early October, as they reach peak ripeness during this period. Keep an eye out for ripe nuts towards the end of September or within the initial weeks of October.
- Once the nuts enter their seasonal phase, they will begin dropping from the trees naturally.
Collect Green Nuts for Freshness Gather the nuts while they retain their green hue. Mature black walnuts exhibit a green, slightly softened outer hull. Harvesting them at this stage ensures the nutmeat remains fresh without acquiring a bitter or rancid taste.
- Mature nuts will display a yellowish-green shade. Avoid waiting until they transition to brown or develop mottling.
Conduct a “Dent Test” to Assess Maturity Employ a “dent test” to gauge hull softness. A mature walnut will yield slightly under pressure. Press your thumb against the hull; if it leaves a dent, the nut is ripe for harvesting.
Caution: Decomposing black walnut hulls can harbor toxic molds, posing risks to livestock, canines, and humans. Refrain from consuming walnuts sourced from decaying hulls.
Direct Tree Harvesting Method Whenever feasible, gather nuts directly from the tree. Black walnuts are at their prime when collected straight from the tree before they fall. However, harvesting fallen nuts is often more convenient. Ensure prompt collection to prevent mold growth or consumption by animals.
- Alternatively, shake the tree or use a pole to dislodge mature nuts if gathering from the tree.
Hulling Process
Timely Hull Removal for Optimal Flavor Remove the hulls promptly post-harvest to prevent the nutmeats from acquiring excessive bitterness. For superior flavor and quality, aim to remove the hulls within a 2-week window following harvest.
- Nuts left in their hulls for an extended period will darken and develop an unpleasant rancid taste.
Plywood Technique for Individual Hull Removal Removing the hulls of black walnuts poses a challenge. For small-scale hulling, employ a hammer and heavy plywood. Drill a hole of 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) in diameter and forcefully hammer the nuts through, leaving the hulls behind.
- Alternatively, roll the nuts beneath a sturdy board or boot to dislodge the hulls.
Caution: Prioritize safety by wearing gloves during hull removal. Consider donning old attire and laying down newspaper or a drop cloth to protect the workspace from stains.
Efficient Hull Removal with Gravel Driveway Method Streamline the hulling process for multiple walnuts by placing them on a gravel driveway. Drive a car or truck over them repeatedly to facilitate hull loosening and removal.
- This method effectively removes hulls while preserving the integrity of the inner shells.
Explore Local Hulling Services for Large Harvests When facing a substantial walnut harvest, consider utilizing local hulling stations to streamline processing. These stations, available in certain states, offer mechanical hulling services, sparing you the laborious task.
- Locate a hulling station nearby by conducting a search using terms like “black walnut hulling stations in Missouri.”
- Many hulling stations are affiliated with parent companies that purchase nuts from local harvesters, offering a potential side income source for those in areas abundant with black walnut trees.
Nut Drying and Shelling
Cleanse Hulled Nuts in a Water Bucket Following hull removal, immerse the nuts, still in their shells, in a water bucket. This step aids in washing away residual juices, debris, and loose fibers from the hull.
- Discard floating nuts as they may be compromised; quality nuts will sink.
Air-Dry Nuts in a Mesh Bag for 5 Weeks Subsequent to rinsing, place the nuts in a breathable mesh bag, such as an onion bag, to facilitate airflow. Hang them in a well-ventilated outdoor spot, shielded from direct sunlight and rain. Typically, the nuts will dry within 5 weeks.
- Alternatively, lay the nuts in a single layer on the ground to dry, ensuring protection from animals and the elements, such as on a screened-in porch.
- Determine dryness by shaking the shells; audible rattling indicates readiness.
Crack Shells Using a Heavy-Duty Cracker Cracking black walnut shells demands robust tools. Once dry, utilize a heavy-duty pressure cracker or alternatives like a hammer, sturdy board, or vise grip. Extract the nutmeat with a nutpick post-cracking.
- Standard hand-held nutcrackers may prove ineffective for black walnuts.
- For bulk cracking, place up to 100 nuts in a burlap bag and strike with a mallet, then manually separate nut fragments from cracked shells.
- For delayed cracking, store nuts in a bag at 32–40°F (0–4°C).
Pro Tip: Soften walnut shells by soaking them in water for 1-2 hours before cracking. For enhanced softness, store moist nuts in an airtight container overnight. Just before cracking, soak them in hot water again.
Discard Damaged or Rotten Nuts While cracking nuts, inspect shells and nutmeat meticulously. Dispose of nuts with cracked or damaged shells, as they may harbor mold or microbes. Reject nutmeat that appears black, bright yellow, or streaked with blue, indicating contamination.
- Healthy black walnut kernels exhibit shades of light to dark brown externally and off-white or cream internally.
Preserve Nutmeat in Refrigerator or Freezer Following shell removal, allow the nutmeat to dry for 1-2 days before storing it in an airtight container. In the refrigerator, nuts maintain freshness for up to a year; in the freezer, they last 2 years or more.
- When freezing, label jars or freezer bags with the date.
- You may also utilize the nuts immediately after cracking, if preferred.
Helpful Pointers
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Once separated from shells, black walnut meats float while shells sink in water. After shell cracking, submerge meat and fragments in warm water. Skim floating kernels and discard sinking shells.
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Enjoy nuts fresh, roasted, or incorporated into salads or baked goods.
Important Notices
- Exercise caution when disposing of black walnut hulls and leaves. They contain a substance toxic to many plants, so dispose of them away from garden plants.
