Unshelled Walnuts

[jakeline]

For Christmas, someone gave me and my husband a 3-pound bag of in-the-shell walnuts. I stashed the bag away in a cool, dark, dry place, and immediately forgot about them. I was doing some cleaning yesterday and ran across them. So, a couple of questions:

1) I'm assuming they're still good (they don't smell off or anything), but how much longer will they be good for? I'm assuming I'll be able to tell if they're rancid. I checked on the Nut FAQs (http://www.diamondnuts.com/nuts_faq.htm#1) (an excellent band name, as well as a phrase I can't repeat with a straight face), and it suggested they would be good for about 7 months. Does this sound about right? Should I put them in the fridge? I was assuming it would be better in a drier environment, but I'm not a nut expert. Hee!

2) What the heck should I do with them? My husband doesn't really like walnuts, and 3 lbs of walnuts is a hell of a lot to try to work into my daily diet. I was thinking of making some walnut butter, but I don't even know if that would be good. Any other thoughts/recipes?

3) What's a good way to shell them en masse? I was thinking of bribing the neighborhood children, but those pesky labor laws might get in the way.

Your suggestions, recipes, and nut jokes are greatly appreciated!

[Darryl Lict]

There's this dish that I order every once in a while at Chinese restaurants that I always thought was made with chicken, but I can't find a recipe. This is the closest thing that I can find, but it's made with shrimp. Basically, it's candied walnuts with shrimp and mayonnaise. I know it sounds icky, but it's really pretty killer. Here's a recipe (http://www.recipezaar.com/31581) that seems pretty close. I've never made it, but I'd give it a try if I had a bunch of walnuts.

[Dijon Warlock]

As to your questions: I have no idea (sorry!).

On the other hand, I share your entertainment with the term "nut FAQS."

It brings to mind "butt XEROX" and the attendant office humor.

Other than that, I got nuttin'.

[Lamar Mundane]

Waldorf salad. It is delicious and healthy. I made some last week (with pre-shelled walnuts).

[jakeline]

Candied walnuts! Brilliant! The idea of candied walnuts, mayo, and shrimp makes me do this :dubious:, but it seems odd enough to be interesting. I also love the idea of waldorf salad. Easy, tasty, and chock full of fiber.

[rowrrbazzle]

Shelling: hammer. Obviously, just hard enough to break the shell.

Uses: chocolate chip cookies. Or eat the nutmeats after toasting them very lightly for a different taste. 350 degrees 5-10 minutes, but watch them so they don't burn.

6 walnuts yields about 1/4 cup of nutmeats, about 200 calories. A nice-sized snack. And walnuts are the only common nut that has any significant amount of omega-3 oils.

If they've gone bad, it will be obvious.

[WhyNot]

Candied walnuts! Brilliant! The idea of candied walnuts, mayo, and shrimp makes me do this :dubious:, but it seems odd enough to be interesting. I also love the idea of waldorf salad. Easy, tasty, and chock full of fiber.
Well, Waldorf salad is basically mayo, walnuts, sugar and sweet apples and celery, usually with chicken. Other additions may apply in person. The Chinese dish isn't so far off of that - sweet, creamy and light white meaty.

I'd freeze 'em 'til you figure out what to do with 'em. Your cool and dry instinct is right on.

[Kalhoun]

If you really don't feel like eating them, feed 'em to the squirrels. They love 'em and they're fun to watch.