Soaking nuts before eating them

[Lexie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rig3vF3WOwM

I thought others might find this interesting though this is the first time I'm hearing about it.

[Nirvana]

NAK so not watched the video yet but I always soak my almonds and raisins overnight and peel the almonds in the AM before eating.

[MinorityView]

I just tried this for the first time with some walnuts. Soaked them for about four hours in a solution containing about a tablespoon of kosher salt, drained them in a colander for a while, wrapped them in a towel to get rid of more of the moisture, then put them in a very low oven for a few hours. They came out yummy.

[Lexie]

I'm guessing you usually like walnuts, MV? I wonder if it would make them more palatable to me...not a fan of many nuts, actually. Basically only care for almonds, cashews, and pistachios.

[Serephina]

I wonder if the reason so many people dislike walnuts is that the shelled nuts you can buy in the shops are almost always rancid. Freshly shelled walnuts are lovely and sweet.

[Nirvana]

Not a fan of walnuts either :o They sometimes make me throw up.

[Lexie]

Wow, I wonder why.

Hey, Nirvana, you said you soak raisins too. Any specific reason? I find raisins too sweet personally and that's why I don't like them. Do you find they're less sweet when rehydrated? I have no problem with grapes.

Serephina, you know, sometimes I find peanuts I don't mind, but usually they taste gross to me. I notice the texture is also different when I don't like the flavor. I wonder if rancidity is at play there. I never considered that issue with walnuts though my great aunt must have had good nut sources. She loved them and always had lots at her parties. I don't think I really disliked any that she had, and I'm pretty sure there were walnuts and pecans which I especially dislike.

[Nirvana]

Lexie, I soak the black raisins because I cannot take them dry. I drink the water too in which the raisins are soaked. It's supposed to be very cooling for the body too according to my grandmom. Once soaked, they become nice and plump and I find them more palatable that way. No change in sweetness though ;)

Also I read somewhere that storing nuts in freezer is the way to go to prevent them from getting rancid.

I roast peanuts sometimes and coarsely grind them and sprinkle them over thai noodles, soups etc. Also if I just feel like eating some peanuts, I roast them in the microwave :cool: for two minutes or something with little salt. The skin comes off easily and they taste yum.

[MinorityView]

No, I'm not a huge fan of walnuts. I'm eating more of them because they are supposed to be healthy. I think I'll buy them with the shells and see if I can find an efficient way to shell them, though. That would take care of the rancid oil problem.

They do taste better after the soaking and toasting process.

[oloph]

Anyone have a good "how to" link for soaking nuts?

[MinorityView]

My daughter explained it. She got it from that big traditional foods cookbook. I'm blanking on the name, but I'm sure someone knows. Maybe the Weston Price site has the info?

[oloph]

Here's a link that briefly discusses it. Were you referring to Nourishing Traditions?

http://www.westonaprice.org/children/foods-toddlers-preschool.html

[MinorityView]

Yes! I'll just explain that I've got menopause brain, okay?

[Cobluegirl]

I was going to suggest WAP or Sally Fallon too....