Wet Walnuts

[snuffer]

We have a massive walnut tree in our garden (at least 40 foot). If I could keep the squirels and rooks at bay we'd have hundreds of walnuts every year. As it is we're lucky to get a decent sized bag full.

[greasyfire]

snuffer is it more wide or tall and does it take up most of your garden.

[snuffer]

It is taller than it is wide. Every couple of years we have it pruned in order to reduce the canopy and let light into the centre of the canopy. It being so tall (40 foot is a conservative estimate) and our pruning regime ensures it does not create much of a shade problem.

The only problem it causes is that there is a tree preservation order on it. That means I have to get planning permission to prune it and that I can only use council aproved arboriculturists. £500 - £600 every two or three years. It is well worth it though, it is a magnificent tree.

[sarraceniac]

At our local street market you can buy wet walnuts. Am I too late for the ones you salt and pickle. My mum used to do them (god bless her). It seems to be a right messy job but before I pop my clogs (thanks google) I want to do it.

I seem to remember my mother pickling walnuts off our tree when I was a child and lived in Godmanchester near Huntingdon. Do I remember that you pickle them when they are not ripe and still have a soft coating, before the shell hardens? But I could be wrong after all these years. It was about the time that Noah invented drip irrigation.

[Flummery]

You remember correctly, Oh Ancient One! You pickle them when they are green. I understand the received wisdom is you prick them with a silver fork first? Never done it though.

[roitelet]

Scrounged some from a friend and pickled them. They will be ready at Christmas so will report then.