John Sigona’s Pick of the Week: Wild-Grown, Hand-Harvested Black Walnuts

John Sigona’s dried fruit and nut selection of the week is wild-grown, hand-harvested black walnuts.

4 oz. Container – $1.99

(Reg. $3.99)

John Sigona’s has been our dried fruit and nut expert for over 35 years.

Featuring my best price since last fall, my wild-grown, hand-harvested black walnuts are tasting amazing right now. These are indigenous to the United States and native to 32 states. (The walnuts I bring into the store for you come mostly from the Midwest.) They are a healthy, nutritious whole food and are a versatile treat in many dishes.

Every year I buy a new crop from a family-owned company that’s been in business for three generations. In fact, these black walnuts are locally sourced from 16 different states. Hundreds of individuals from various locations in each of these Midwestern states gather them from lawns, fields and pastures after the nuts have fallen from their trees. These nuts are then delivered to the the aforementioned family-owned company where they’re processed and packaged.

I’d best describe the taste of these nuts as authentic, assertive, full-bodied and robust. They have a distinctive flavor that’s much stronger than the English varieties we’re typically accustomed to.

Black Walnuts are wonderful in baked goods, ice cream, cookies and candy, but they’re also a distinctive treat in many entrées and side dishes.

Here are some health benefits of black walnuts, some of which are higher than other nuts, including the common English varieties:

• Low in saturated fats
• High in non-saturated fats (healthy)
• About 23 grams of protein per 3 oz.
• Vitamin A
• Iron
• Minerals
• Fiber
• Cholesterol free
• Sugar free