Black walnuts are a delicious and nutritious treat, but their tough hulls and shells can make harvesting and processing a bit of a challenge. If you’ve ever wondered how do you hull black walnuts effectively, you’re in the right place! This guide will walk you through the best methods to hull, clean, and prepare black walnuts for cracking and enjoying.
Why Hull Black Walnuts Immediately?
Once you collect black walnuts, it’s important to hull them right away. The hull is the greenish outer covering that surrounds the hard shell. If left on too long, the hull’s juice will seep into the nut meat, causing discoloration and a strong, bitter taste. Plus, the hull juice stains skin, clothes, and surfaces easily, so it’s best to handle them carefully and promptly.
Tools and Techniques for Hulling Black Walnuts
There are many ways to remove the hulls, ranging from simple manual methods to more mechanical approaches. Here are some of the most popular and effective techniques:
Manual Hulling
– Stomping: Spread the nuts on a tarp and stomp on them to crack and loosen the hulls. This method works well for larger batches but requires some effort.
– Hammer or Rock: For smaller quantities, you can use a hammer, heavy rock, or the back of a hatchet to break the hulls. Once cracked, peel the hulls off by hand while wearing gloves to avoid staining.
– Hand Peeling: If the hulls are soft and starting to fall off naturally (usually when they turn black), you can simply peel them off with your hands, again using gloves.
Mechanical and Innovative Methods
– Cement Mixer or Corn Sheller: Some people use a cement mixer or a hand-crank corn sheller to agitate the nuts and remove hulls. The nuts bump against each other and the sides of the mixer, which helps loosen the hulls quickly.
– Automobile Wheel or Squirrel Cage: These are less common but creative methods where the nuts are tumbled to break up the hulls.
– DIY Agitator: A bucket with water and a mixing paddle can be used to stir and rub the hulls off. This method also helps clean the nuts as you hull them.
Step-by-Step Process to Hull Black Walnuts
- Harvest at the Right Time: Pick walnuts when the hulls are mostly green but starting to soften. If the hulls are too hard, the nuts may not be ready. Press your thumb into the hull-if it makes a dent easily, it’s time to harvest.
- Protect Yourself: Wear rubber gloves and old clothes to avoid staining from the hull juice.
- Break the Hulls: Use your preferred method (stomping, hammering, or mechanical agitation) to crack and loosen the hulls.
- Peel Off the Hulls: Remove the broken hull pieces by hand, collecting the nuts in a container.
- Wash the Nuts: After hulling, wash the nuts thoroughly in water to remove remaining hull debris and black juice. You can use a large bucket or tub, swishing the nuts around with a stick or your hands.
- Sort the Nuts: Discard any nuts that float, as they are likely unfilled or bad. Good nuts will sink in water.
- Dry the Nuts: Spread the hulled nuts out to dry in a well-ventilated area before cracking and storing.
Tips to Make Hulling Easier and More Efficient
– Don’t Delay: Hull the walnuts as soon as possible after harvesting to prevent staining and flavor issues.
– Use Water: Agitating walnuts in water helps soften hulls and reduces mess, making it easier to remove them.
– Wear Gloves: The hull juice stains quickly and deeply, so gloves are essential.
– Avoid Over-Soaking: Don’t leave nuts in water too long during washing, or they might mold during curing.
– Large Batches: For big harvests, mechanical methods like cement mixers or DIY agitators save time and effort.
After Hulling: What’s Next?
Once hulled and cleaned, black walnuts need to be dried and cured for a few weeks to mellow their flavor and make cracking easier. After drying, use a hammer or specialized nutcracker to crack the hard shell and enjoy the rich, earthy nutmeat inside.
Hulling black walnuts can be a bit messy and labor-intensive, but with the right techniques and a little patience, you’ll have a rewarding harvest to enjoy all year long. Whether you prefer the hands-on approach or a mechanical method, the key is to hull quickly, wash thoroughly, and dry properly for the best results. Happy hulling!