Walnut

The nut is the fruit of the common walnut tree is grown, as well as for its edible fruits, for its timber, its aromatic leaves and being ornamental.

This walnut fruit is green, round and smooth when young. Once mature, the nut is surrounded by a hard shell, brown rough, staying within four compartments where we find the seeds. These seeds are the edible part of the fruit, sweet taste, irregular shape, yellowish white and wrapped in a thin yellow-brown coating.

There are different varieties of nuts, walnut depending on which they arise. In America we find black walnut walnut walnut and gray, but the best known are those in California but have less meat than those produced in Europe. The most commonly grown are the common walnut, Parisienne, Hartley, Payne, Franquett and Eureka.

Uses and benefits of nuts

The nut has a very important value in nutrition, it is rich in B vitamins, vitamin C, protein, vegetable oils, essential trace elements and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Also beneficial properties are attributed to help reduce cholesterol. As a curiosity, knowing that once was believed that Nut was especially beneficial to the brain, precisely because of its shape, which resembles the human brain.

Its use in the kitchen is widespread, nuts are part of many dishes. They can be eaten raw, alone or accompanying other foods. They combine well with honey, vegetables, pasta dishes and sauces. Also part of many products such as ice cream and walnut oil and other salad dressings.

The best time to buy nuts is in November, when they are perfectly ripe and dry. It would be better to opt for walnuts in shell, but a good option is to buy them already peeled and vacuum packed.