Need info on Butternuts

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We have 2 huge butternut trees on our property. They are old but still produce some nuts. When are the nuts ripe? The squirrels knock a lot out of the trees early on but some are starting to fall on their own now. How do we get the outer husk off? I've heard about running over black walnuts with a car to break off the husks. Is there a better way? Should we store them in the shell or shell them and freeze them? Can I use them in the same recipes that I use walnuts in? Thanks for any info you can give!

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), August 06, 2001

Answers

a good nut cracker should take the husks off,,or they come off when they are ripe. How about a dog,,or you can borrow my cat,, loves squirels,, catches them too. Id keep them in the shell,, and store in a cool dry place

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), August 06, 2001.

Cindy, they are not ripe in NY yet. You have to let them dry and when the outer shell turns brown they are ready. Gather them in September and place in a bushel basket in the garage or barn to dry. Then use a hammer. Butternut outer shells are sticky and will stain your hands tan.After you shell them keep in frig or freezer if you don't use them within a few months as they tend to get an off taste in a well heated house.

-- Peg (Ashlinep@localnet.com), August 07, 2001.

Peg - We've had a few fall this week that are still green. Can I collect them and leave them in the basement until they turn brown? If I leave them outside, the squirrels will definately get them.

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), August 07, 2001.

Cindy- You can save and use the butternuts falling green just let them dry until the outer husk is brown. Growing up on the farm we had two bins for butterbuts. The new crop went in one bin and we used from last years bin- all well dried. Butternuts may be the hardest nut to crack open. When ready to use them cover with boiling water. When the water cools off they will crack much easier. Treasure those trees. They are dying off like elms a few years ago.

Jim

-- Jim Sanderson (jlsndy@sover.net), August 08, 2001.


Jim - We have several small butternut trees that have sprouted. If you're anywhere near upstate NY, you can come by and get some nuts and try planting them. There used to be a black walnut here but one of the past owners sold it to someone who came in and cut it down for the wood. We have a couple small black walnuts that have sprouted too. When you mentioned boiling the nuts, is that to get the outer husk off?

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), August 10, 2001.


Hi Cindy, you can gather them now and dry. Most nuts fall off the trees after the first frost. I have a real old butternut cake recipe somewhere. I'll try to find it for you. You are so lucky to have butternut trees in your yard. I have to go all over the country roda and scout them out. (I keep a little notebook in the car so I can write down locations of nut trees and elderberry bushes and such)

Where in Ny are you? I'm on the east side of Lake George heading towards Ticonderoga.

-- Peg (Ashlinep@localnet.com), August 16, 2001.


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