Walnuts for Cookies

In Wisconsin every podunk town has a walnut tree or two. Mostly folks don't like them because in the fall they drop their nuts, the male ones, in the lawn and they make for hard mowing---like oh my God!. It seems that few realize their true value. As a kid I know we gathered hickory nuts, butternuts and walnuts wiht great folly. Our parents would take them home and bust them up for their food value ---I was not raised by a family of squirrels even though we did gather wild foods but not bury them in the ground---only the gold. I do remember it was a project. Mostly, I remember the smells of the nuts and to this day they offer a great smell with many memories. We probably last did this 55 years ago but it still lingers.



I've always noticed them here, usually squashed in the roads where they leave a black smudge or seen them being trucked off by a local squirrels---relatives. This year I decide to compete with the rodents and latched on to a good bucket full.

I am sure some would argue that this is a project of some marginal value. However, there are a couple of issues of interest. They have to be packed with nutritional goodies because the trouble a squirrel will go to to latch on to one of these babies is profound. Leave one on an outside table for even a few minutes and it will depart. Bury it in the ground to plant a new tree and they will have it dug up in part of a day.

But the best part is the taste. There is absolutely nothing like it. It is a richness not to be found in any commercial nut. It is work, but the time is well spent and a source of rich food that should not go unnoticed---they are free for the taking.

Possibly as we move to more local food supplies, the nuts of distant lands will not be available. Knowing the whereabouts of the walnut might just prove to be a pleasant surprise---might piss off the squirrels but they can eat acorns and I don't think I can. Push come to shove, maybe.