Black walnuts are a delicious and nutritious treat, but cleaning them can be a bit of a challenge. Their tough green hulls stain hands and surfaces, and the nuts need proper processing to taste their best. If you’ve ever wondered how do you clean black walnuts effectively, this guide will walk you through the easiest and most efficient methods to hull, wash, and prepare your black walnuts for storage or use.
Why Cleaning Black Walnuts Is Important
Black walnuts grow inside a thick green hull that contains a dark, staining juice called juglone. This hull must be removed carefully to avoid staining and to prepare the nut inside for cracking and eating. Cleaning the nuts thoroughly also helps remove debris and any remaining hull bits, which can affect the flavor and shelf life of the walnuts.
Step 1: Harvesting and Removing the Hulls
The best time to harvest black walnuts is just after they fall from the tree or when the hulls are soft enough to press your thumb into. This makes hull removal easier.
Methods to Remove Hulls
– Stomping: Place the walnuts on a hard surface or in a bucket and stomp on them with your foot to crack the hulls. This method works well if you have a large batch and is less labor-intensive than hand peeling.
– Hammer or Boards: Use a hammer or press the nuts between two hinged boards to crack the hulls open. Then peel off the green husks by hand.
– Manual Peeling: For smaller quantities, you can peel off the hulls by hand, but be sure to wear gloves to avoid staining your skin.
Once the hulls are cracked, separate the nuts from the husks. Collect the hulls in a yard waste bucket and discard them; do not compost them because juglone is toxic to plants.
Step 2: Washing the Nuts
After hulling, the nuts will still be covered in black residue from the hull juice. Washing is essential to remove this sticky debris.
How to Wash Black Walnuts
– Place the hulled nuts in a large bucket or tub filled with water.
– Use a stick, broom handle, or a mixing paddle to stir and agitate the nuts vigorously. This helps loosen any remaining hull bits.
– Drain the dirty water and repeat the washing process several times until the water runs clear and the nuts look clean.
– During washing, discard any nuts that float, as these are usually empty or bad nuts.
Avoid soaking the nuts for too long to prevent mold during curing. Just wash them thoroughly and drain promptly.
Step 3: Drying and Curing
Once clean, spread the walnuts out in a single layer to dry. This can take about 4 weeks. Drying helps improve flavor and prevents spoilage.
– Place the nuts in a dry, well-ventilated area away from squirrels and other critters who love walnuts.
– Turn or move the nuts every week or so to ensure even drying.
– After drying, store the nuts in mesh bags or breathable containers in a cool, dry place. Properly cured black walnuts can last for years.
Tips for Easier Cleaning
– Hull the walnuts while the husks are still green or mostly green; this makes peeling easier as the husks come off more readily.
– Wear thick rubber gloves to protect your hands from staining during hull removal.
– Avoid using your car or heavy machinery to hull walnuts, as this can crack the shells and damage the nuts inside.
Summary of Cleaning Black Walnuts
| Step | Method/Tip | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Harvesting | Pick walnuts when hulls are soft or just fallen | Easier hull removal |
| Hull Removal | Stomp, hammer, or peel by hand (with gloves) | Remove tough green hulls |
| Washing | Agitate in water, repeat until clear | Remove hull debris and juice |
| Sorting | Discard floaters (bad nuts) | Keep only good nuts |
| Drying & Curing | Air dry for 4 weeks, turn regularly | Prevent mold, improve flavor |
| Storage | Store in cool, dry place in mesh bags | Long-term preservation |
Cleaning black walnuts may seem like a lot of work, but with these simple steps, you can enjoy the rich, unique flavor of this native nut in your baking, cooking, or snacks.
Black walnuts require some effort to clean, but the reward is worth it-a tasty, nutritious nut that’s perfect for many culinary uses. Happy harvesting!