Monday's gale force winds and torrential rain have brought down walnuts by the barrow-load. Above is just a small sample of our newly gathered 2010 stock, which will easily last us through to next autumn. I love walnuts, and eat several each day (highly recommended for good health).
Walnuts contain Linoleic Acid (an Omega 3 fatty acid) which can help reduce Cholesterol, and also has an anti-inflammatory action. They contain Iron, Selenium, Vitamin E, and Zinc. It is also said that eating walnuts can reduce the risk of heart disease (what doesn't). So, all in all a pretty nifty nut. Doctor Cro says 'Eat 6 walnuts a day'.
N.B. The exceptionally clean walnuts that one finds in supermarkets and elsewhere have often been bathed in a bleach solution. This takes away blemishes on the outer shell (usually a sign of a bug inside), and gives them that 'come buy me' look that supermarkets love. Beware! 
I love walnuts. They remind me of Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAlways a few at the bottom of the Stalky stocking, I hope?
ReplyDeleteWalnuts sometimes give me an irritation to the skin of my mouth or tongue, like little mouth ulcers. Any suggestions, Dr Cro?
ReplyDelete(word verification for this: 'efart' ! Nobody can hear you scream in cyberspace!)
I always knew there was a reason why I adore walnuts! We have a few trees here but I have a running battle with the squirrels as to whether I will get any!
ReplyDeleteTom. No idea! However, I do have a simple, if slightly painful, solution for 'efart' that also involves walnuts. For €50 I will send an illustration in a plain envelope.
ReplyDeleteTW. For Suffolk I would recommend sweet pickled walnuts in early summer, and crossed fingers for fully-formed nuts now. We had a tree in Sussex, and the whole crop went for pickles. The squirrels were furious.
I remember you giving me the recipe for pickled walnuts, which should only be picked green during Goodwood Week. (I'll pass on the efart remedy - I can guess it for free)
ReplyDeleteHi Cro.some time ago I received an email and it was interesting to do with nuts and some fruits,they resemble the part of the body that they are good for,I know walnuts were on the list and the mind boggles as to what part of the body most will think that they are good for but I have a feeling it was for the pancreas not what most will be thinking lol anway if I find the info I will let you know..(I have absolutely no idea why I passed on this uninformative information) just an old blonde I guess lol anyway happy walnutting.Carole
ReplyDeleteTom, they do cause mouth ulcers, orange juice does as well. The only solution, beyond not eating any, is to make sure you brush your teeth with a baking soda toothpaste, or just a little baking soda itself sprinkled on your regular toothpaste.
ReplyDeleteAre they still as good for you if they are cooked Cro? I have a fabulous recipe for an apple-walnut cake.
ReplyDeleteI doubt it Jacqueline. Most things are richer in goodies, in their RAW state. As we have so many, I make my Pesto with walnuts; that's very good!
ReplyDeleteApple-walnut cake sounds dee-lish. I'm not allowed such things! Dammit.
So I will eat my six while I bake the cake!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of pesto with walnuts, and as neither they nor pine nuts are local here and both cost the earth, might as well give walnuts a go.
For the Pesto don't use fresh nuts, they need to be at least 6 months old for the oils to really develop the right flavour.
ReplyDeleteFor once I have beaten the squirrels to our crop of walnuts and now have a couple of sacks. WHAT, please tell me, is the best way to get those fiddly things cleanly out of their shell? Don't feel like endlessly sitting, peasant style, with a basket between my legs banging away with a little hammer!
ReplyDeletewalnuts and satsumas. Essential stalky stocking fillers!
ReplyDelete