Cooking with American Black Walnuts

Described as having a "robust and distinct" taste, the American black walnut is naturally grown and harvested and has many uses both in and out of the kitchen.

General Information on Black Walnuts

The American black walnut, or eastern black walnut, is native in 32 states in the central and eastern U.S. and is the official tree nut of Missouri. The wood of the American black walnut tree is used for furniture and gunstocks. The yellow-green husks of the nuts can be used for making dyes and ground particles of the shells are a natural abrasive used in cosmetics, dental products and for polishing. Although not as well-known as English walnuts, Nuthealth.org says black walnuts are among the most popular of the more than 15 varieties of walnuts.

Growing, Harvesting and Hulling Black Walnuts

According to AmericanForests.org, more than 23,000 metric tons of black walnuts are harvested annually in the United States, compared to hundreds of thousands of tons produced by English or Persian walnut trees, grown primarily in California. The low numbers are due to the fact that Black Walnuts grow wild and are harvested by hand. Also, the black walnut trees take 12 to 15 years to bear nuts. The nuts are gathered in the fall, put in mesh bags and then sent to buying stations where the nuts are separated from their hulls. Next, the walnuts are sent to a plant to be cleaned and dried. The extremely hard shells are cracked with large steel wheels and then the nutmeats are separated from the shells and divided into categories by size. After inspection, the nuts are sterilized and packaged. Hammons Products Company in Stockton, Mo. is the leading processor and provider of American black walnuts. The company packages about 30 million pounds of walnuts each year.

Eating Black Walnuts

Black walnuts are a healthy choice for everything from stuffing poultry to baking muffins. According to the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, the nuts contains alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 essential fatty acid that helps lower cholesterol, regulate heartbeat and reduce inflammation. Black walnuts are also a source of vitamin A, iron, minerals and fiber. The Arbor Day Foundation website notes that black walnuts have nearly twice the protein of English walnuts. Black walnuts can be found year-round in the baking section of most grocery stores. If kept in an airtight container, black walnuts can stay fresh for up to one year in the refrigerator and two years in the freezer.

Black Walnut Recipe

The delicious taste of black walnuts can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes.

Black Walnut Praline Pork Chops and Apples

(Used with permission from Hammons Product Company)

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops, approximately 1/2 - 3/4 inch thick
• 1/2 cup Hammons Black Walnuts
• 2 Granny Smith apples, cored and diced
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper

Directions:

1. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. In a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat sear the pork chops on both sides then turn down the heat to medium.
3. Add the black walnuts to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer until the pork chops are done, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.

Serves 4.

As a savory ingredient in everything from ice cream, cakes and brownies to salads and sandwiches, the American black walnut is a healthy gourmet treat with endless possibilities.

American black walnut ice cream

American black walnut fudge and candies

Print Article

Email Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds