Walnut wonders: Simple techniques to banish bitter skins
Walnuts are an indispensable ingredient in many festive dishes, thanks to their symbolism and valuable health benefits. However, the whole effect can be spoiled by the taste of the bitter skin. There's a simple way to fix that.
28 November 2024 17:33
The shape that evokes associations with the human brain strongly stimulates the imagination, and rightly so. The effects of walnuts on brain function are scientifically justified. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and thus positively affect neurons' proper functioning. Antioxidants inhibit the development of free radicals. B vitamins play an important role in neurotransmitter production. Additionally, walnuts contain magnesium, which improves memory and concentration. They are also a natural antidepressant, which simply boosts mood.
How to remove the skin from a walnut?
Before adding walnuts to fruitcake, poppy seed cake, or your daily porridge, it's worth removing the not-so-tasty skin. This skin is located under the hard shell and tightly surrounds the sweet centre. Tedious peeling with a knife is out of the question, especially during the festive season, when obligations pile up, and you still need to find time for December gatherings with friends or acquaintances.
The simplest method is blanching. It will help you get rid of the bitter skin in a few simple steps. How to do it? Drop the walnuts into a pot of boiling water. Boil for 1 minute, then use a slotted spoon to remove a few at a time. Slightly cooled but still warm, peel the walnuts with a small knife.
Blanching walnuts is quick and ridiculously easy. The boiling water softens the skin, which practically comes off by itself.
Other ways to peel walnuts
An alternative method is to put the walnuts in the oven. Set the temperature to 200°C. Spread the walnuts evenly on baking paper and bake for 15 minutes. After removing and cooling them, transfer to a clean cloth and rub them against each other. The skin comes off by itself, leaving only the sweet flesh.
You can also cook walnuts in the microwave, ensuring you use a suitable container. Arrange the walnuts at the bottom and cover them with cold water. When it starts to bubble, remove the container from the microwave. Let the walnuts cool and peel off the skin, just like with classic blanching.
When reaching for walnuts — not only while preparing festive pastries — remember that their shells and skins can be used to prepare a valuable fertiliser for potted plants.
Blanching walnuts vs. pan roasting
When looking for a way to remove the skin from walnuts, you might come across another method using a frying pan. It is also effective, but it requires pre-boiling the walnuts for about 30 minutes. Then dry and roast them in the pan until the skin starts to crack.
