May 17th recognizes a “nutty” holiday. Each year on this day, it is National Walnut Day.
Rounded, single-seeded stone fruits of the walnut tree, walnuts are a high-density source of nutrients, particularly proteins and essential fatty acids. Like other tree nuts, walnuts must be processed and stored properly.
Grown for their seeds, the Persian or English Walnut and the Black Walnut are the two most common major species of walnuts.
- English Walnut
– originated in Persia
– commercially produced - Black Walnut
– native to eastern North America
– high flavor
– hard shell and poor hulling characteristics prevent its commercial growth for nut production.
The husk of the walnut, which is peeled away from the shell at harvest, and contain juice which will readily stain anything it comes in contact with. The husk juice has been used as a cloth dye.
The United States is the world’s largest exporter of walnuts.
Ninety-nine percent of the nation’s commercial English walnuts are produced in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys of California.
HISTORY
Created to promote the consumption of walnuts, the first National Walnut Day was proclaimed in June 1949 by the Walnut Marketing Board.
On March 3, 1958, a Senate Resolution was introduced by William F. Knowland and signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the first National Walnut Day, May 17, 1958.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Enjoy some walnuts today. Try them plain or in a favorite recipe. Great on salads,, and baking. We use Black Walnuts in Bourbon Balls every year. Use #NationalWalnutDay to post on social media.
