For easiest harvesting we wait until most husks are at least split open. Then knocking the branches with padded poles or shaking the branches will easily release a shower of nuts onto the ground.
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A walnut ready to fall from the husk |
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The Nut Wizard picks up objects like a vacuum cleaner |
Next is picking them up. That used to mean sore back time - bending over or crawling on hands and knees to fill buckets. But not any more! Since a friend told us about the Nut Wizard this once tedious job has become a breeze. This tool might at first look like just another gimmick, but in fact is a well made and very effective tool. Simply by rolling it over the ground it will pick up any type of nut, small to medium citrus, apples, golf balls and more. Roll it over walnuts and as if by magic they instantly pop inside the flexible wires of the rolling basket.
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After harvesting, the nuts need to dry thoroughly before shelling. We spread them out on racks or in shallow boxes in a warm dry space for several days, until the meats become dry and brittle.
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Shelling
Once dry it's time to shell the nuts. A hammer and hard surface is the most basic option, but here are two alternatives:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfy3rrsUjr2TBMS4t-93glFi8Qb6_Mg4aXLBIf4FfjzFMOLvxRg2ofmO_C5LFmqfXHv-A8tkjbkclxyMLmGSTgVz7i2Q7wJKoI838Os72xqThyGTlz8mKUsdolBkUgq-XGaJ8TiYOSPf8/s320/walnuts4.jpg)
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Storage
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6iIIA5aW5RjP7sdso23sl-jKZlAnllmXW4TXpWOM2F_u0RoIhFF-xJ7xM2GZ4Yy0kov-YRIQtPtC3Ga8yPMyQuh_43qLqFAbp2Ws4GEuB36uqU1FCiuLNf-mC7d-c_jVKsumLxng_IY/s320/walnuts6.jpg)
Granola Recipe
This is our version of an Epicurious recipe called Everyday Granola; for comparison purposes, you can check out the original recipe at this link. You might want to adapt the ingredients to your taste preferences as we did.
Dry ingredients:
3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 teaspoon cinammon
Mix the above ingredients together in a large bowl.
Wet ingredients:
2 Tablespoons canola oil
2 Tablespoons molasses
2 Tablespoons honey
Mix the wet ingredients together and warm gently on the stove or in a microwave so you can stir and blend them together. Drizzle the wet mix onto the dry ingredients and stir with a large spoon to coat the oat mixture evenly.
Put the mixture in a large rimmed baking sheet, spreading it out evenly. Bake in a 275 degree oven for about 30 minutes, stirring the mixture every 10 minutes or so to assure that it browns evenly. It should look golden brown when done and the nuts should taste pleasantly crunchy.
Serve for breakfast with yogurt, fresh or dried fruits, and/or milk.
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