[Wizard]

So I have a few walnuts they are a bit late this year I spent the afternoon pricking them and I have made a bucket of brine that is strong enough to float an egg I've put them in and shall stir them round every day until next Saturday when I shall take them out and rinse the salt off Then put them on my drying rack in the sun until they turn black and shrivelled.I am making 4 pint bottles of raspberry vinegar as well

[valr]

What will you do with the walnuts Wizard? I mean are they for a recipe or will you just eat them lol

[Wizard]

Hello vair I make a most delightful pickled walnut absolutely ace with cold beef at Xmas but I am told they are an acquired taste, what ever that means. I think it's something like Marmite you love them or you hate them.If you can find them in the shops they are expensive to buy.Look in recipes I have posted a recipe on how to make them.If you have not had them please buy a jar before you make some and you have missed this year now the shells will have formed

[valr]

I don't think I have ever seen a walnut tree in scotland .....!?

[Wizard]

Hello vair I know of two in the grounds of Balmoral Castle,but I doubt if you would be allowed to pick some while they are green 

[Sharondp]

I think I have a walnut tree - should I be picking them now? they don't look like walnuts - green & round!
That's the joy of only having lived here for 6 months - keep discovering new stuff in the garden!

[Wizard]

If you want to pickle some Pick a couple and see if you can push a darning needle through the nut.If you cannot because there is something hard stopping you The shell has formed and you are to late this year.Your Geographical location will have effect on the time of year they are best for pickling.Last week in June first week in July is right for the Grimsby latitude I have looked on your profile and I think Gloucester is quite a bit south of Gy so I would think yours will be past the soft stage.Don't waste your time doing hard ones they will be uneatable

[SLI]

Wizard you are the fount of all knowledge! 

[Wizard]

SL1 as Ken Dodd said "If only"

[SLI]

Well Wizard, I'm fascinated by the stuff I learn just from reading your posts & recipes. 
Sue

[Wizard]

Hello Sue  Thanks for the encouragement.I don't know of course how far back you go with what I have written on TAS.I am 73 years old and always lived in the country although where we live now is in the village which like so many places is built up all the way into Grimsby town center but goes into the fields going away from Grimsby.I relate myself to the things I've done and seen in the last 70yrs.I still cook and enjoy sharing recipes People may not agree with me but who cares If I say I use a stone of salt I mean I use a stone of salt.I cannot see proper ham being made in 5 days in a vac-pak bag in a fridge.Then my way keeps in the bacon bag hung on a hook in the ceiling for a couple of years The vak-pak way a couple of months judged by the BBE on the bought packs from Tesco.Some one at the door TTFN George

[SLI]

Thanks for the info George. I'm a proper townie - born in the East End of London then lived in Dagenham, Essex. Now in a small seaside village, Winterton on Sea, in Norfolk. I've started growing some veg & have a couple of apple trees, a couple of plum trees & a damson tree. I love the lifestyle although still have to work full time to fund it!
I have 3 sons, 2 grown & one of 13.
I'm already thinking of getting more chooks - my 4 keep me supplied with enough eggs but fancy some more just becasue I enjoy keeping them.
All the best and keep on posting the interesting stuff!
Sue 

[Wizard]

Hello Sue sounds really good to me but keep up the day job it puts stamps on your card as well as money to pay for you little farm It is very difficult to live off the proceeds of a small farm.Going off your project There is a Winterton quite near here and next weekend 24/25 July the North Lincs Vintage Steam Rally will beheld there on the Show Ground I like to go to that lots of reminiscing to do with like people

[SLI]

Ah I've heard of that Winterton too George. There's also a Winterton in Drakensburg, South Africa & we have a hotel nearby called Hermanus named after another South African place. There are small zulu style round thatched huts there to stay in - I hasten to add with modern facilities! I don't know why there's this South African connection here.
Sue 

[Mickyork]

Serious respect to you Wiz man     So much to learn from you and I will be asking     All the time