My dad, Arthur, liked filbert nuts (hazelnuts) and at Christmas we'd always have a bowl of nuts in the shell on the kitchen table, along with a nutcracker. I bought him a little hazelnut tree and we planted it in Keswick, but it didn't grow. I've since learned that nut trees like companions, they don't like to be alone. And they are the best trees for ensuring the survival of wildlife (and people in times of famine) so if you have space, plant a little grove of nut trees for the good of the planet.
Toasted Nuts
Toast shelled nuts to bring out their flavour.
Stir nuts (e.g. pecans, walnuts, almonds and almond flakes, coconut flakes) in a hot iron or non-stick frying pan until they begin to turn golden.
Cool.
Candied Nuts
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 tsp water
- 1 cup walnuts (or other nuts)
- 1/2 tsp salt
Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Over medium heat, combine sugar and water, do not stir.
Bring mixture to a boil.
Remove from heat when amber in colour.
Stir in nuts.
Once coated, turn nuts onto the parchment and separate with a fork.
Sprinkle with salt and let cool to harden.
