Looking around Alton, Missouri, you may notice shops preparing for the annual Ozark Black Gold Walnut Festival. What is so crucial about black walnuts that the town has a festival? Black walnuts are different than California walnuts. They are healthy, nutritious, and flavorful.
Harvesting walnuts
Black walnuts are native to this area. They ripen on trees from September through November, usually. Local businesses collect and pay for the walnuts by weight after shelling them. Walnuts are ripe when they fall from the tree. Once they fall, remove the outer husks. After removing the husks, they are oily, so you will want to protect your skin and clothing. Wearing gloves, place them somewhere they can dry until you are ready to use them. This can take five weeks [1].
When you crack open the nuts, you can immediately use the nutmeats or freeze them for future use.
Nutrition
Once you have walnuts, can you eat them? Absolutely! Walnuts are low in calories and high in protein. They are low in sugar and fats while being high in omega-3 fats [2]. They contain B vitamins along with several minerals. All of this adds up to health!
Recipes
Black walnuts found in the Alton area add a deeper dimension to baking. Going online will serve many recipes like fudge, brownies, cookies, and breads. Black walnuts make a healthy choice in teas and honey.
Other Uses
Black walnut wood is a beautiful wood used to make furniture. The oils make dyes or ink [3].
With cooler weather ahead, now is the time to harvest walnuts. If your property has no walnut trees, maybe your neighbor will share some of his.
Notes:
- ^https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2009/10/Black-Walnuts-Pick-Them-and-Clean-Them-Up-Quickly/ (go back ↩)
- ^ {{Walnuts 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits}} (go back ↩)
- ^Â {{14 Uses for Black Walnuts
Alton Walnut Festival. Chair made from black walnut {$\vert$} Homestead Honey}} (go back ↩)
