Unlocking nature's bounty: Simple hacks for cracking walnuts
Walnuts – a treasure trove of health, but their hard shells can be a real headache. Not everyone has a nutcracker in the kitchen. Fortunately, there are several simple and effective ways to crack these tough nuts using only items you can find in any kitchen.
Walnuts are a true treasure in the kitchen. They are tasty and extremely healthy, providing the body with valuable fats, vitamins, and minerals. However, their hard shells can be challenging, especially when you don't have a nutcracker handy. Fortunately, there are simple and effective methods that will allow you to crack walnuts without using a lot of force.
Oven – your ally in the kitchen
Heating walnuts in the oven is one of the simplest and most effective ways to crack their shells. Just preheat the oven to about 200°C, place the walnuts on a baking tray, and put them in the oven for a few minutes. Under heat, the walnut shells will become brittle and easier to crack. However, remember to wait a moment after taking them out of the oven until the walnuts cool down slightly to avoid burns.
Freezing and soaking – extreme methods for hard shells
If your walnut shells are exceptionally hard, you can use more extreme methods.
- Freezing: Place the walnuts in the freezer for a few hours. The cold will make the shells more brittle and easier to crack.
- Soaking: Soak the walnuts in hot water for about 10-15 minutes. The hot water will soften the shells, making them easier to crack.
How to easily remove bitter skin?
After cracking the walnuts, a bitter skin often remains, which is worth removing. Here are a few methods:
- blanching: Throw the shelled walnuts into boiling water for a few minutes, then transfer them to a bowl of cold water. The hot water will cause the skin to come off more easily.
- toasting: Toast the walnuts in the oven for about 10 minutes at 150°C. The heat will make the skin brittle and easy to peel off.
- soaking: Soak shelled walnuts in cold water overnight. In the morning, the skin should come off easily.
Cracking walnuts doesn't have to be difficult. With our tips, you'll easily handle this task without special tools. Remember that freshly shelled walnuts are an excellent addition to many dishes and snacks.
Walnuts are an excellent ingredient in many dishes – from salads to cakes and main courses. With these simple tricks, you'll easily access their insides and take full advantage of their flavour and health potential. Try these methods today and enjoy the ease of cracking walnuts!
