How to Crack a Black Walnut

The Black Walnut is a formidable foe when trying to crack but well worth the fight in my opinion. It has the most unique woodsy flavor.


Things You'll Need:

* Flat rock or hard piece of Wood
* Cloth or Paper towel
* Hammer or a Vice 4
* Power drill and long Mixer bit or long wooden stake
* 5 gallon Bucket
* Safety Goggles
* Fine Mesh Strainer
* Knife
* Waterproof gloves


Step 1

First you must remove the green hull that surrounds the shell of the Black Walnut. Use waterproof gloves because the hull will stain your hands for weeks. The hulls have been used for years for making dye. Take a knife and cut the hull off resulting in two halves of a sphere and the remove the shell.

Step 2

Fill the 5 gallon bucket with some water and drop a bunch of hulled walnuts in. Take the drill with the mixer bit and mix the shells around in the water to help remove remaining hull pieces or use the wooden stake in the same manner. Avoid splattering on your clothes.

Step 3

Next pour out the water and let the shells dry in the sun until thoroughly dry. This could take a week or so. Keep watch out for squirrels who steal the shells every chance they get.

Step 4

When the shells are dry. Store them in a cool,dark, ventilated place in layers of no more than 3 shells deep for about 4 months to cure. This will help separate the nut from the shell and develop the rich unique flavor of the nut inside.

Step 5

Before cracking, soak shells in hot water for 24 hours.
Hammer Cracking Method: Place shell vertically on a flat rock or hard piece of wood and wrap it in clean cloth or Paper towel. Hold the wrapped shell with one hand and hammer it with increasing pressure with the hammer until it cracks once. with luck the shell should crack in quarters. Unwrap the cracked shell and pick out the loose pieces. Then strain them under water with a fine mesh to wash off any small shell pieces. Then you are ready to savor the flavor.

Step 6

Vice Method: Place the shell in the vice vertically and place the bucket underneath to catch shell pieces when cracking. Crank the vice with one hand and hold the other hand beneath the vice to catch stray falling nut pieces. I am told that This method is more effective but have yet to try it myself. Separate the nut meat into a different container and strain it with a fine mesh strainer as stated above in the first method.

Step 7

Enjoy the fruits or NUTS of your labor.

Tips and Warnings:


* Use the cloth or paper towel to catch flying pieces when using the Hammer Method.

* Crack from top to bottom.

* Best to do most procedures outside.

* Use Eye protection if you insist on hammering the shell without wrapping it in a cloth or towel. I strongly recommend wrapping it.

* Hammers hurt when they hit your fingers! Be Careful!