hazelnuts in calvados

[Nicos]

Yesterday we spent hours cracking open most of last years bumper hazelnut crop.

(The nuts were beginning to shrivel and get chewy)

Anyway- one of the locals suggested we put them in calvados ( local apple brandy)

We did this last year too- and the calva is absolutely superb- creamy and nutty.
The nuts rehydrated with the calva and are still scrummy sprinkled ontop of desserts.

So- batch 2010 is already sitting waiting in a dark place


Oh- I do hate to waste rubbery hazelnuts!


(and nope- no sugar needed!)

[Tomatoking]

Hi Nicos

Sounds great, especially with no sugar, we have a few trees around our property.

How do you collect your hazelnuts, do you just let them fall or pick before.

Mr TK

[Nicos]

These were collected from the floor.
First batch we did in Feb/March and then I thought we'd see if it worked with the older ones which were going rubbery inside!
They've plumped up a treat!

Watch out though- they do swell quite a bit so leave a gap at the top!

The Calva tastes yummy- of hazelnuts - and the nuts are appley and wonderful sprinkled on icecream
Doesn't take long for the flavours to swap over either!

Not so many green ones on the tree this year - so I'm glad to be doing a second batch!

[Tomatoking]

Thanks for that Nicos, have been to have a look at our trees, we've got quite a few and they are all loaded! So do I wait til they fall off (that's assuming my girlies don't try and eat them) or just pick them 'green' from the trees now? How long do I leave them til I add them to the Calva? Can I do it this year or wait til they've browned off? Sorry for all the questions, but it does sound a wonderful idea and brilliant to find something to do with them all. Last year I didn't know what to do with them. Have to go out and buy some nice Calva now!

Mrs TK

[Nicos]

Nope- you want the brown ones.

We used last years in the Spring- and again now!
Looks like you're going to need to learn to sit on your hands- or twiddle yr thumbs!!!!

The calva was very drinkable 3-4 weeks after adding the nuts.
Why not try a batch in early Nov to see what it's like for Xmas/New year???

It really is exceptionally yummy!

[Tomatoking]

Thanks ever so Nicos! I will definitely be trying this one, does sound yummy. Will have to keep an eye on them until they turn brown then and just wait as you say! So will now be on the hunt for some reasonably priced Calva I think. Will let you know how it goes.

Thanks again!

Mrs TK