The Majestic Walnut
Walnuts are much over-looked in terms of preserving - apart from poor old Len Goodman who was always saying 'well, pickle m' walnuts!' Walnut trees were first introduced to the UK in the 15th century and are very suited to our temperate climate. You would think that we would have learnt to make more use of them by now!
I know that you can pickle walnuts but there is a very small window of opportunity for that - the walnuts must be harvested when still wrapped in their outer green shells and, as ever, there is folklore attached.
The Summer Solstice is key so on June 21st the green walnuts should be collected by barefoot virgins, after nightfall, and in uneven numbers. That's the nuts, not the virgins. The very latest they can be harvested is around the first week in July. This is because the inner shell - the one we crack open at Christmas - is inside the green outer coating and it starts to harden after this time and makes it impossible to pickle them.
The main reason I have never pickled them is because you must wear gloves when handling them or your hands will be stained black which is almost impossible to remove - not a good look for a hopeful virgin.
This is a shame as they are reported to be absolutely delicious.
We will be making some less challenging, but just as delicious preserves with these nuts that are so much a psrt of our Chrismases
Our Workshops are friendly, no experience of cooking or preserving is necessary and we try to use everyday, familiar equipment. You can cook along with the Live Workshop or use the recording which will be place in The Library of the School soon after the Workshop finishes
So, take advantage of the block booking discounts to access all of the Season's Workshops with the security of knowing you won't miss anything.
We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our preserving family
Rosie x
I know that you can pickle walnuts but there is a very small window of opportunity for that - the walnuts must be harvested when still wrapped in their outer green shells and, as ever, there is folklore attached.
The Summer Solstice is key so on June 21st the green walnuts should be collected by barefoot virgins, after nightfall, and in uneven numbers. That's the nuts, not the virgins. The very latest they can be harvested is around the first week in July. This is because the inner shell - the one we crack open at Christmas - is inside the green outer coating and it starts to harden after this time and makes it impossible to pickle them.
The main reason I have never pickled them is because you must wear gloves when handling them or your hands will be stained black which is almost impossible to remove - not a good look for a hopeful virgin.
This is a shame as they are reported to be absolutely delicious.
We will be making some less challenging, but just as delicious preserves with these nuts that are so much a psrt of our Chrismases
Our Workshops are friendly, no experience of cooking or preserving is necessary and we try to use everyday, familiar equipment. You can cook along with the Live Workshop or use the recording which will be place in The Library of the School soon after the Workshop finishes
So, take advantage of the block booking discounts to access all of the Season's Workshops with the security of knowing you won't miss anything.
We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our preserving family
Rosie x
Find similar workshops . . .
View Workshop Recording
This workshop recording is available to view by VIP Customers.
You'll need to be logged in to view.
If you're not yet a VIP Customer, it's free to register.
Gift vouchers are available to buy that may be redeemed against live online workshops or recordings of previous workshops.
I've thoroughly enjoyed your workshops over the last year and have learnt so much about preserving - there's a whole world out there, not just jams! Your warm and friendly approach is greatly appreciated, and you answer all our questions with endless patience. Thanks for giving me the confidence to experiment - as you say, what could go wrong?!
- Tracey, Suffolk
