The level of cleanliness you need to get black walnuts depends on how you plan to use them. If you’re using them raw in salads or other recipes, be sure to give them a thorough washing with soap and warm water and scrub them with a brush to remove any dirt or bugs.
If you’re cracking them open to use the inside nutmeat, you’ll need to do a more thorough cleaning. Start by washing with soap and warm water, then use a stiff brush to scrub off as much of the green husk material and as many of the eggs laid by nut weevils as possible.
Finally, put the nuts in a pot of boiling water and blanch them for about 15 minutes to soften the husks and kill any remaining bug eggs. Once blanched, rinse and lay the nuts out for a few hours in the sun, or in an airy environment, to help dry the remaining husks and speed up the spoilage process.
How is the way to dry black walnuts?
The best way to dry black walnuts is to start by removing them from the hulls if they have been freshly picked. Then, allow the black walnuts to dry for about 2-4 weeks. Place the walnuts in a single layer on a window screen or in a paper bag that is open to the air.
Make sure to rotate them every few days so humidity will help to evaporate the moisture. Once the walnuts are completely dry and make a rattling sound when shaken, they are ready for storage. For storage, black walnuts should be packed in plastic bags or airtight containers and stored in a cool, dry place.
They should keep for about a year before needing to be used or eaten.
How do you clean and crack black walnuts?
Cleaning and cracking black walnuts is a bit of a laborious task, but it’s worth it for the delicious and nutritious snack you can enjoy. To get started, you’ll need a pair of protective gloves as the walnuts will stain your skin, as well as a sharp knife to easily crack the shells.
First, you want to thoroughly soak your walnuts in a bucket or bowl of water for 24 hours. This will help loosen the shells and make it easier to crack them.
After the 24 hours are up, drain the water from your bowl or bucket and separate the walnuts from any dirt, leaves, or other debris. Then, use a damp cloth or small brush to remove any remaining dirt or debris on the outer shell.
Now it’s time to crack open the walnuts. Position the walnut on a cutting board and make sure it is stable. Then, use your knife to make a light slice into the shell. Once you’ve made one slice, you can use your hands, the knife, or a nutcracker to open the shell and reveal the kernel inside.
Finally, let the kernels dry completely before eating or storing them. You can dry them by leaving them out in a cool, dry place for up to a few days. Be sure to store the black walnuts in an air-tight container or plastic bag in a cool, dry area as well.
How long do black walnuts need to dry before eating?
Black walnuts typically need to dry for several weeks or months before they are ready to eat. The exact time it takes to dry depends on the size and thickness of the nut, and the humidity level in the area where the nut is being stored.
If possible, store the black walnuts in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated area. After the shells have become noticeably harder and the nuts sound hollow when tapped with a fingernail (you may need to crack the shells open to check), the nuts can be considered dry and ready to eat.
If stored properly, the black walnuts should keep for several months, sometimes even up to a year.
How do you crack walnuts without breaking the shell?
Cracking walnuts without breaking the shells requires a few steps. To start, use a nutcracker specifically designed for walnuts. If you don’t have a nutcracker, use the flat end of a heavy knife and apply pressure evenly.
Make sure your knife is thick enough to break the shell without damaging the nutmeat inside. Place the walnut on a cutting board, then position the nutcracker on top of it so that it is securely placed in the shell.
Squeeze the handles together firmly and quickly, then separate them. If done correctly, the walnut shell should crack, but still remain intact. Once you have cracked the shell, use a butter knife to pry it away from the nutmeat.
If you’re having trouble doing this, you can try boiling the walnuts for a few minutes. This will make it easier to separate the shells and nutmeat.
Is there a machine to crack black walnuts?
No, there is not a machine specifically designed to crack black walnuts. Although there are various machines, such as nutcrackers, on the market; these are not suitable for cracking black walnuts. Black walnuts require extra strength to crack open, as the hard shells have a thicker consistency and require more pressure to open.
As such, a specialized nutcracker is not necessary, as utilizing a standard household tool such as a hammer can be quite effective for cracking black walnuts. Moreover, by controlling how much force is applied to the shell, one can minimize the chances of crushing the actual nut within the shell.
Can you eat black walnuts right off the tree?
It is possible to eat black walnuts right off the tree, however, caution should be taken. Black walnuts have hard shells which require special processing to crack. Unprocessed black walnuts are very bitter, so most people choose to wait until they have been processed in order to eat them.
Furthermore, harvesting walnuts can be difficult since they often ripen at different times throughout the year. To ensure a good harvest, regular pruning and tree maintenance should be performed. If you do decide to eat black walnuts right off the tree, make sure to wash them carefully and wear rubber gloves to avoid walnut oil staining your skin.
How do you know when black walnuts are ready to eat?
Black walnuts are ready to eat when the husk has turned from green to brown and the hulls can easily be cracked with a nut cracker. The inner nuts will be plump, and the light brown nuts should be easy to separate from the inner shell.
The nuts will also have a strong aroma, indicating they are ripe and ready to eat. If you don’t have a nut cracker, try putting them on a rock and pressing down with a larger rock to crack open the shell.
If the shell doesn’t crack, it means the nut is still green and not ready to eat. To ensure the riper black walnuts are not wasted, harvest them when they are ripe and store them inside a breathable bag or container until you are ready to crack and eat them.
Using frozen walnuts is another option, as they will keep for up to one year in a regular freezer.
How do you process walnuts at home?
Processing walnuts at home is a fairly simple and straightforward process. First, you should separate the shells from the nutmeat. This can be done by firmly striking the walnuts with a rubber mallet on a hard, flat surface.
After you have cracked the outer shells, use your fingers to lift away the shells from the nutmeats.
Once the shells have been separated from the nutmeats, spread the nutmeats on an oven-safe baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. This will dry the walnut meats and make them easier to crack.
After removing the baking sheet from the oven, allow the nuts to cool completely before proceeding.
When the nut meats have cooled, you can use a nutcracker or tweezers to extract the meats from the shells. This will take some time, so be sure to be patient. Be careful not to crush the nutmeat as you are cracking the shells.
Once you have cracked the nuts and extracted the meats, you can then proceed to toast the walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes. This will add a nice crunchy texture to the nuts.
After toasting the walnuts, remove them from the heat and allow them to cool before consuming. The walnuts are now ready to eat or use in recipes. Enjoy!
How long does it take to cure Black Walnuts?
Curing black walnuts requires drying them in a cool, dark, and dry environment for several weeks. Temperature and humidity levels will determine how quickly the walnuts cure, but usually a minimum of four to six weeks is needed.
During the curing process, husks will darken and harden. The shell of the walnut will also eventually crack. To check if curing is complete, try to break and remove the husk from the walnut. If the husk breaks easily and comes off easily, the walnuts can be used.
Curing black walnuts is important for preserving their flavor and allowing the husks to be removed easily. Properly cured walnuts will keep for up to a year, maybe even longer with proper storage.
