How to Use Fresh Black Walnuts

Most of the time, walnuts are hulled and dried immediately after harvesting. Drying allows the nuts to be stored for months without becoming rancid or moldy. If you have a home orchard or access to fresh walnuts, however, there are a number of ways to utilize fresh walnuts. While black walnuts are more difficult to shell than the English walnuts more commonly seen in stores, many cooks find them to be more flavorful. Fresh walnuts can be used in much the same way as dried nuts, but have a different, more rubbery texture.

Things You'll Need

• Baking sheet

Instructions

1. Toast the walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet, then use them to top a bowl of vanilla yogurt or ice cream. Drizzle with honey or with maple syrup.

2. Add toasted walnuts to a pot of spaghetti, along with pepper, fresh parsley, grated cheese, and olive oil, for a simple and delicious pasta dish.

3. Include fresh walnuts in a salad of greens, orange slices, raisins, red onion, and oil and vinegar. Alternatively, use walnuts to add texture to a chicken or tuna salad.

Tips & Warnings

• Fresh walnuts are ready to harvest as soon as the outer hull loosens from the nut.

References

• University of California Publication 8005: Harvesting and Storing Your Home Orchard's Nut Crop
• Cook's Thesaurus: Nuts
• Nature Skills: Black Walnut Harvesting