Name: Black Walnut Harvesting
Start: 2024-06-09T17:30:00-05:00
End: 2024-06-09T20:00:00-05:00
Location: Utepils Brewing Co

Forest & Urban Foragers, Listen Up!
So, you love foraging for mushrooms, plants, or berries: But what about black walnuts? Foragers and gourmet chefs from around the world seek out and cherish this delicacy, and you should too. Take our class, and easily become an expert at harvesting this delicious and under utilized wild food source. Wild black walnut trees are easily found in the woods and fields, but also urban and suburban areas too.
Chances are high that you pass by a black walnut tree every day. And many find them to be a nuisance. But, there is a reason squirrels love them so much: Harvesting these tasty nuts is definitely worth the effort. Join Chick of the Woods and outdoor writer JJ Reich to learn how to utilize the abundant, nutritious, and delicious wild black walnut. JJ is known as @blackwalnutdaddy on Instagram and has been harvesting walnuts for more than a decade. He's field-tested several methods and developed his best and easiest ways to process them. JJ has published many articles, photos and videos on foraging for black walnuts, and he is excited to share his expertise you.
You will learn everything from identification, collecting, husking, cleaning, and curing to cracking, storing, eating, drinking, and much more. There will also be a live nut-cracker demonstration that you can try too. You'll leave with the right knowledge and resources for making Nocino (an alcoholic beverage which should be prime time at the time of this class) and for harvesting the nuts (which starts in September). Plus, you'll get some surprise gifts and be entered into a raffle!
Fair warning: black walnuts have a reputation of being a hard nut to crack. And processing them certainly is messy and labor intensive. This outdoor hobby is a labor of love and does require some investment in the proper equipment to do it right at home. But, don't worry, this class will recommend the best ways to work with them and the best gear to buy, too.
The class will be held indoors at Utepils brewery in Minneapolis. You are welcome to help yourself to a brew or two and food from the foodtruck during the presentation. We will also have a raffle drawing for a goodie bag donated by Utepils.