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8 Tips for Growing, Foraging, and Eating Nuts

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Emma Gallagher is a Brit living in North Carolina. She grows organic gardens and... Read More

Nuts of all descriptions are super versatile, are a super healthy snack, and can be grown or foraged. They are especially useful for vegans as they contain healthy fats and protein as well as a wealth of other essential nutrients.

We are going to look at foods commonly referred to as nuts and avoid the ‘Is it a nut or a seed?’ debate. If you suffer from nut allergies, be sure to do your research on each ‘nut’ for allergy advice.

Check out these OGP articles that celebrate nuts in all their glory, from foraging to feasting.

1. Eating Nuts

Nuts are a wonderful food and are widely enjoyed. They can be used in cooking or consumed raw as a handy snack. They are really good for a vegan diet as they are high in protein and rich in good fats. Nuts are highly nutritious, and though each nut boasts its own nutrient profile, in general, they are high in vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, manganese, and selenium. Nuts are delicious and versatile and should be included in your diet where possible. Here is a list of 6 of the Healthiest Nuts to Include in Your Plant-Based Diet and how they might be beneficial to your body as a whole.

2. Chestnuts

The American chestnut tree, Castanea dentata, once was prominent in the forests of the Eastern United States, as prevalent if not more than the oak tree. Unfortunately, nearly every one of them fell victim to an imported pathogen, and in less than half a century, it was functionally extinct. As we push towards more sustainable lifestyles, it may be time to look at chestnuts again, reimagining how our food systems could look, from the farm to the table. Read on to learn All About Chestnuts: A Staple Crop from the Past for the Future.

3. Hazelnuts

Of the nut-producing options for edible landscaping, hazelnuts are one of the best options for rural, suburban, and even urban lawns. Unlike other nut trees, they don’t require a lot of space, and they are also relatively quick producers. They are also attractive shrubs with serrated leaves, pretty catkins, and valuable wood. Hazelnuts are known to be easy-growers, with the potential to propagate them from seeds or runners from existing plants. They are tolerant of most soil types as long as it is well-drained, and they grow in most places in the contiguous US, most compatible from USDA Zone 4 through 9. Check out A Beginner’s Look at Growing Hazelnuts in Your Backyard Orchard.

4. Acorns

In the effort to become more food secure, locally sourced, and self-sustaining, acorns can again become a piece of our edible landscapes. As we see year in and year out, the squirrels are hip to this tasty treat, so there is no reason we should, too, reacquaint ourselves. Acorns can be used to make flour for gluten-free baking, porridge for nutritious breakfasts, and even a substitute for coffee. They even have a heap of medicinal uses. If all that sounds great, and of course it does, then it seems we do-it-yourselfers should be making the effort to be acorn aficionados. Read on to learn All About Foraging and Feeding on Acorns.

5. Foraging Nuts

Foraging in the fall is particularly rewarding because there are plenty of calorific finds to enjoy. Fall is the time when gardens start to slow down production, but most tree fruits and nuts are just ripening, both domestically and in the wild. That makes for a great gathering. In terms of really dense calories, few foods stack up with nuts. They are high in healthy fats and protein. The autumn is their time, and for the enthusiastic forager, the quantities available can be jaw-dropping. Learn about the nuts you can forage in this article about Fruits and Nuts to Find in the Fall.

6. Peanuts

Don’t get us wrong: Peanut butter is a wonderful use of peanuts. It’s such a noteworthy food that it overshadows many of the other great peanut coups that can happen in the kitchen, and so today is a day in which to celebrate those other marvelous dishes. While peanut butter will likely not be leaving our lives and hearts any time soon, here are some other ways to get real, whole peanuts on the plate. Check out why Peanuts Are Not Just for Peanut Butter: 10 More Ways to Use Them.

7. Pine Nuts

First of all, growing your pine nuts is not a task to be taken lightly. Though pine trees are agreeable growers, it takes about a decade to get a good harvest. That said, once they reach maturity, i.e. a state of production, pine nuts will be available for years, even decades, to come. In addition to providing delicious pine nuts (think of the pesto!), pine trees are great for growing windbreaks, and they can often be trained into privacy hedges. In other words, these might be a great choice for those wanting to do some edible landscaping in a neighborhood, or they can work great on a small homestead. Learn How to Grow Your Own Pine Nuts.

8. Nuts for your Skin

Many nuts contain nutrients, such as vitamin E, selenium, and zinc that our bodies use to keep our skin healthy. Also, nuts are rich in antioxidants that combat cell damage and inflammation, both of which can contribute to skin issues such as loss of elasticity, drying, and wrinkling. Check out these Foods to Apply to Your Skin or Eat For Clear Skin.

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