The other "W"

I've made Biscotti al Nocine and I've finished pickling the walnuts. They are interesting, dark brown with a sweet, malt vinegar-y taste and hints of the same spices used in Nocino. I imagine that they would be best used as a garnish or flavoring, in small amounts. They have a strong, unusual flavor. I read that pickled walnuts are an ingredient in Worchestershire Sauce, a homemade version. The source said the taste of pickled walnuts resembles lumpy worchestershire. Here is an interesting link with assorted recipes for worchestershire, along with a recipe for walnut ketchup that uses pickled walnuts. You'll find this quote on that same page:

"In conclusion, pickled walnuts are perhaps the most ancient and widely consumed condiment in the world, thanks in large part to the British, who took it almost everywhere they colonized. As a result of the cultural diversity in the history of this "King of Pickles", there is a pickled walnut recipe to suit almost everyone's taste, whether vegetarian, carnivore, or just a sweet tooth. Pickled walnuts are an acquired taste and are not for everyone, but this is actually a good thing: There probably aren't enough to go around!"

I will share my 7 pints of pickled walnuts. Next year, I want to cut more of the ends off..... I wonder if using alum would make them more firm? Also, making sure that the blossom end is completely removed, like when pickling cucumbers. Perhaps however, the ideal pickled walnut really should taste like lumpy worchestershire! I think I prefer Vin de Noix!

2009 - Meanwhile, back at the ranch.....

We pause in our historical narrative of work....

I've just started my home batches of all things green walnuts. I've got Nocino, Vin de Noix (aka Perigord Port), Biscotti, and this year, making it's first appearance..... Pickled Walnuts. I was recently certified as an El Dorado County Master Food Preserver and I am putting my new found knowledge to good use.

Here is the first step in the process of pickling the green walnuts. 1) Pick. They are picked when they are one to one and 1/2 inches in diameter. Our family picked. It is much like picking apples, except we only picked from what we could reach. Dad, Paul Clary, found he could pick much higher in the tree using his ATV. We will utilize more pickers and perhaps a cherry picker next year. Another possibility is to stand in the back of a pickup bed truck. Any who...... we could have picked much more had we had these ideas before we picked.

2) The second step is to use a fork to make holes in the walnuts, place them in a quart jar and then fill them with a salt (or brine) solution. They will now sit for one week and we then drain the and subsequently repeat the process. To be continued