Why should only the squirrels enjoy your black walnuts in the yard!? Every year about this time the hubby collects black walnuts from the dozens of trees we have on the property to make his famous Nocino (Walnut Liqueur). Definitely a sipping cordial, Nocino tastes rich and nutty with notes of licorice. Be patient. The longer this sits, the better! It’s one of the few things we look forward to in the cold and dreary months after the holidays. Check out this adapted recipe from DRAM Apothecary below. Cheers!
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Ingredients
- 1 zest of 1 lemon
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 1 inch piece of vanilla
- 4 Indian long peppers optional
- 5 star anise
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 liter good high proof Vodka
- 30 green Black Walnuts The walnuts should be young and green. They should have a soft inside before the wooden case had hardened.
- rubber cleaning gloves or latex gloves
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Cut the walnuts into quarters wearing gloves. Walnut hulls are historically used to dye fabrics, and they may dye your hands. Put them in a large seal-able glass jar with vodka, lemon zest, clove, cinnamon and vanilla. Close jar and leave under sun for 60 days, shaking a few times.
- At the end of 60 days, cook sugar and water over low heat until sugar dissolves, let cool.
- Filter the alcohol through a chinois straining out the walnuts and herbs. Mix with the sugar syrup and filter again (you can also use paper filters, jam filters or a fine cloth). Bottle and seal it up!
- Now wait patiently while letting it improve with age, at least 6 months – 2 years! Once ready the taste should be sweet and nutty with subtle hints of earth and greenery.
Hi gentlemen. Love your house. Your black walnuts brought back memories when I was a kid. My neighbors has several black walnut trees and in the fall they would collect the nuts. The would throw the nuts into a bonfire to get rid of the greenish brown outer layer. You were able to burn leaves , ect . outside in NJ in the early 60’s. All the kids would help. Once cooled, they would begin to shell the nuts which are wonderful to bake with. I remember seeing them for sale shelled in Pa. in the outdoor markets. Thanks for bringing the memory back.
Hi Colleen! Thanks for the lovely message and so happy we can bring you some fond memories. Please keep in touch and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Shawn & Kris xoxox
Cool and blend in 1/2 to 1 cup of walnuts.
OH! Thanks for the tip…