Shagbark hickory nuts

I was at a friends farm this weekend and ended helping him gather some Shagbark hickory nuts. I had never had these before and blown away by how sweet they are. They are about the size of small walnut,but a bit easier to open. If you have a tree around you I suggest taking the time to gather some before the squirrels get them all.

Yo, brutha John...The bark from a shagbark hickory is some of the best stuff in the world to smoke meat with. MOF throwing just a little bit of it a regular grill while cooking will do some really nice things for (say) pork chops of steaks. I've also heard some mixed opinions on using the hulls from the nuts themselves. Some folks say they rock, others say they impart a bitter taste...maybe give it a try.

If you can score me a small box (or two) of bark, I'll be yer best friend.

We have a number of ~200 year old Shagbarks on the homestead. I may give them a try.
Steve, I may be able to convince the trees to give up some shag for you.
'Winger

We have a number of ~200 year old Shagbarks on the homestead. I may give them a try.
Steve, I may be able to convince the trees to give up some shag for you.
'Winger

You dah man Winger. I'll make a drive out to the country anytime to pick up some of that stuff and I may just bring some homemade pastrami and some good ol' Amish Swiss with me when I come.

I was at a friends farm this weekend and ended helping him gather some Shagbark hickory nuts. I had never had these before and blown away by how sweet they are. They are about the size of small walnut,but a bit easier to open. If you have a tree around you I suggest taking the time to gather some before the squirrels get them all.

OK -- I have a BIG shagbark hickory tree that's literally COVERING the ground with nuts right now. I've tried everything I could think of to open the nuts and only ended up with little 1/4" pieces of meat. HOW IN THE WORLD do you tackle these things? They are very tasty, but what a job to get to the good stuff!

I grew up in New Orleans and can pick a dozen boiled crabs without even thinking about it - I can't let these nuts win! I really appreciate the suggestion for using the bark and hills in my smoker. The Big Green Egg will be getting some extra goodies next time i fire it up.

I'd gladly trade someone gathering rights for a bit of training. Plenty of nuts and hulls, and even some bark if you're REALLY good at training me. Located in Prospect.

I'd gladly trade someone gathering rights for a bit of training. Plenty of nuts and hulls, and even some bark if you're REALLY good at training me. Located in Prospect.

Some folks in my circle of BBQ aficionados claim that using the hulls of the shagbark nuts will impart an extremely bitter/astringent taste to the meat. Never used the hulls, so I can't say if this is true or not. I have used the bark and it's dah bomb...It has a VERY intense smokiness though, so don't over do it.

Thanks Steve P -- I appreciate the info.

OK -- I have a BIG shagbark hickory tree that's literally COVERING the ground with nuts right now. I've tried everything I could think of to open the nuts and only ended up with little 1/4" pieces of meat. HOW IN THE WORLD do you tackle these things? They are very tasty, but what a job to get to the good stuff!

I grew up in New Orleans and can pick a dozen boiled crabs without even thinking about it - I can't let these nuts win! I really appreciate the suggestion for using the bark and hills in my smoker. The Big Green Egg will be getting some extra goodies next time i fire it up.

I'd gladly trade someone gathering rights for a bit of training. Plenty of nuts and hulls, and even some bark if you're REALLY good at training me. Located in Prospect.

Duuno, but perhaps this link will be of some help.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-H ... Story.aspx

Nice illustration - I may try it. I talked to my brother last year about our hickory nut tree and he said they are so hard to open not even the deer will eat them (Brother = Mighty Hunter).