Black walnuts - how do you get to the nut?

[country lady]

Yes, indeed, they do stain. I once handled them before we went to the airport to pick up my cousin for a visit; I had to wear gloves. I was so embarrassed.

I had black walnut trees near my garden and nothing grew well. Their roots are toxic and run a long way. I wish there was a way for the average Joe to harvest the wood because I hear the timber is very expensive. Black walnut trees grow all over the place around here.

 

[pbjmaker]

So after reading this thread I thought I'd go gather some walnuts since my hubby likes them in cookies but I hate the price of them (and I hate them in general to eat ) well there is nothing left but shells!!!!! Stupid squirrels have been super busy because there were a lot of them out there. Now I know what they have been up to besides making the dogs bark!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

We always let the green hulls dry out to black. Put them in burlap sacks as stated and let the trucks run over them a few times. Wear gloves when your dealing with walnuts you will have stained hands for weeks or months! We take a hammer and an old piece of railroad rail to crack the meats out.