Hazelnuts

In Connecticut, USA, there are many places where wild hazelnuts grow. In late August these can be picked for your eating pleasure. First step is to pick them. They grow in clusters or occasionally singly, down the long flexible trunks of the shrub. You are best off using a basket or picking into a cloth type bag. The husks are green and fluffy. The nuts inside their shells are hidden inside the husks. These need to dry for about a week before the nuts are easy to release. One way is to put them in a basket in front of a fan. Stir them every day. You can also put them in a smaller bag in your car. Be absolutely sure to stir them every day or they will mildew. The heavy duty coated grocery bags are fine to pick into but they hold too much moisture. Once the husks are pretty well wilted you can pry them open to release the nuts in their shells. These should be brown. They may be wet, this is ok. I shell them into a basket then stir them and turn them every day for about a week. Ones that are too small to crack, discolored, or have obvious issues should be discarded. I do keep some tiny ones to drill for jewelry! You can then take these nuts and freeze them in their shells. Or you can shell them. For cracking them I find a heavy duty pair of pliers is the best tool. Easiest on my hands for sure. Once the nut meats are out of the shell you can eat them or freeze them. What is your favorite hazelnut recipe? I like to roast them at 350 for about 20 minutes or so, stirring regularly, then cool, grind, and make into a torte. It takes a lot of hazelnuts to make this torte so it’s only for special occasions or special people.