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Edible Hazel Nuts

Ken — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 02:15:28 +0000

My Nephew from California came to visit us here in North Carolina. We decided to take a hike along the Reddies River Greenway that provides calendar picture quality views. As we walked, his face lit up and he walked over to some bushes growing on the bank alongside the trail. After a brief inspection of the leaves he pronounced that “these are hazel nuts”. I was both surprised and delighted at the news.

As shown in the photo, the leaves are teardrop in shape with a jagged edge. The nut is enshrouded in a leafy collar that must be removed to expose the full nut in it’s beauty. When completely ripe, the exterior shell of the hazel nut must be cracked open and removed to obtain the meaty food within. Hazel nuts are high in nutrition and is one of the main ingredients in the popular “Nutella” spread. The nut producing season will vary in each region but usually peaks sometime in September. I have included a photo of the early-season plant showing the catkins (blossoms) so that it can be recognized next year if you miss it this season.

I was grateful on many counts that my nephew came to visit, but learning more about my environment from a West Coast resident was a real surprise.

Bloomin’ Cattails

Ken — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 03:09:58 +0000

Between May and June you can take advantage of a special growth phase of cattails. It is when the cattail begins to blossom. At the tip of the center stalk you will see two distinct parts. The male portion containing pollen is produced on the top and the seed bearing portion that we often associate with hotdogs grows below. You can collect pollen from the upper portion which is edible and often used as a supplement to make pancakes and biscuits. There are a number of recipes that you can find online. Look for the most yellow blossoms as they contain the most pollen. You can bend the stalk over into a bag and shake it to collect the pollen.

When this season is over, the cattail still provides edible parts. New shoots can be pulled up to reveal a tender stalk similar to celery in taste. The roots are quite starchy and can be boiled or roasted. They are quite fibrous so some folks pound out the starch first before preparing.

Although we’re at the end of the cattail pollen season, you might still spot some stalks to harvest, so take a field trip and give it a try while they may still be found.

DIY Tick Remover

Ken — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:02:54 +0000



	Easy Tick Remover An embedded tick freaks a lot of people out! I’ve tried the usual methods like lighting a match, blow it out, and hold it close to the tick – or – smothering on vaseline cream – or – rubbing the tick in a circular motion for 30 seconds… but the best success is a DIY tool that I conceived that I would like to share with you!
	1) Take a soda straw and cut it diagonally at a 45 degree angle.
	2) Cut a small “V” on the end.
	3) Approach from head end of the tick, slip the “V” notch under the tick’s head and slide briskly towards the rear in a scooping action.