Walnuts: miracle food from a tree

November 6, 10:12 AMBackyard Living ExaminerJane Gates

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Walnuts ripening on the tree

Photo by Jane Gates

Walnut trees are not difficult to grow in areas that do not experience hard frosts. These large-growing trees are perfect for shade and make lovely, bold statements in the landscape. There are several types of walnut (Juglans), the two most common being the black and the Persian walnut.

The most impressive part of the Persian and black walnut trees are the tasty crops they produce. The black walnut is usually smaller and much harder to break open, but some people prefer the flavor. The Persian walnut is the walnut best known in commerce. 

Walnuts can also be bought from the store, but opt for the raw walnuts when you buy them as the miraculous benefits are lost in commercial roasting due to the high temperatures used in processing. You can always roast your own walnuts by spreading them out on a cookie sheet and baking them at 160 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. This low heat preserves the delicate oils and trace elements in the nuts.

Those attributes that make the walnut into a miracle food are not just the treasured Omega3 and the monosaturated and saturated fats that are packed into the nuts, but the unique ellagic acid also found. Ellagic acid has recently been shown to be a successful block to cancers and cancer-causing chemicals. Walnuts have been considered excellent ‘brain food’ and are said to reflect their brain-nourishing assets in the fact the walnut almost looks like a miniature brain!

Whether you grow your walnuts in your own yard or buy them at the store, these nuts should be kept in sealed jars or in the refrigerator since they can degenerate in air and humidity.

Walnuts are excellent snack foods to leave out in a bowl since they are decorative in their shells. They are ideal to use in holiday treats and special dishes. Walnuts are a traditional ingredient in turkey stuffing for Thanksgiving. And they are great to use year round for sweets, breakfast cereals, cooked grains, meats, in yogurt and in all kinds of salads and appetizers.

Grow walnut trees in your landscape to provide fresh nuts to munch on for months as well as to add beauty and shade.  And if you aren't able to grow your own tree, shop for walnuts to add to your diet for good health and the delightful flavor and texture they add to food.  Walnuts really are a miracle food from a tree!

Also see:

Planting bareroot trees and shrubs

Plant the right tree in the right location

Holiday parties in the backyard

How to Grow Walnut Trees in the Garden