If you have harvested pecan nuts prematurely, then it is likely that their moisture content would be high. You’d need to dry the nuts completely so that you can crack them open easily.
Pecan trees thrive abundantly in the South US, especially in the catchment area of the Mississippi River. Pecan tree grow to a height of nearly 80-100 ft and appear striking and magnificent owing to their thick canopy. The trees are cultivated extensively in the Southern US, chiefly because of their seeds or nuts that taste delicious.
Fully dried pecans have a sweet, earthy flavor, and many people savor the nuts as roasted pecans, toasted pecans, and candied pecans. Eating pecans everyday has several benefits from the perspective of health. However, you’ll need to ensure that the nuts are thoroughly dry before shelling them. In case you’ve harvested the nuts before they’re fully ripe, you’ll have to dry them up for about two weeks before you remove them from their kernels.
Harvestingthe Nuts
The nuts start maturing from early fall around September through to November, depending on the variety. Mature kernels appear brown and the shucks crack open easily. You know that it is time to harvest the nuts when you are able to separate the hulls from the pecans with ease.
You can also pick some nuts during the fall when the weather is still warm and humidity levels are somewhat high. The green husk keep the pecans from ripening. However, the nuts will not be fully brown indicating that they still have high moisture content. In such an event, you can postpone harvesting till the shells take on a brownish hue.
Natural Drying Process of Pecans
Allowing the nuts to become brown will guarantee thorough kernel development. In order to have a good amount of premium quality nuts, harvest them the moment you see that the kernels are brown and the hulls break easily. Also, make sure you store and preserve the nuts properly to hold on to their pristine quality.
You may not be able to pick the nuts from the trees’ upper sections. Hence prune the trees from year to year so that you can harvest comfortably. Use a long and robust pole or shaft having a clip or hook for knocking the pecan nuts from the treetops. Shake the branches a little vigorously for ensuring that many nuts fall to the ground.
Pick up the nuts after they drop to avoid damage from pests, molds, and birds.
Remove Additional Moisture from Pecans
Harvest the nuts only when you feel they’re ripe. In case you’ve harvested the nuts prematurely due to unavoidable circ*mstances (trees have started rotting or are aged), do not shell them. Premature or unripe pecans will be replete with moisture, and you’ll have to dry the nuts by spreading out the kernels in a screen or wire gauze sheet. Alternatively, you can put the pecan nuts inside a string bag or net bag and place the bag in a room that is dry and well-ventilated.
Allow the pecans to dry in the shell for a couple of weeks or so. Once the nuts are dry enough, you’ll be able to break open the hulls without much effort.
Rounding up, always ensure to pick your pecans during the late fall. After all, you’ll be able to snap the kernels effortlessly only when the nuts ripen. And if you pick the nuts prematurely, you’ll have to put up with the hassle of drying pecans artificially.
In shell pecans for sale
FAQs
Eating pecans everyday has several benefits from the perspective of health. However, you'll need to ensure that the nuts are thoroughly dry before shelling them. In case you've harvested the nuts before they're fully ripe, you'll have to dry them up for about two weeks before you remove them from their kernels.
Do pecans need to dry before shelling? ›
Let the freshly foraged pecans dry in their shells for about a week before you try doing anything with them. This way, they'll be easier to crack and clean.
What do you do with raw pecans in the shell? ›
In-shell pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for 6 to 12 months. They can be refrigerated up to 18 months and frozen for about three years. After removal from the freezer, pecans will last for an additional two months.
Why are my pecans dried up in the shell? ›
One possible reason is pecan scab. Scab was common this year because conditions were favorable. The scab interferes with photosynthesis which reduces the tree's ability to use the energy from photosynthesis to grow pecans. It could also be a lack of nutrients.
How long can you keep pecans in the shell? ›
In-shell pecans can remain good for 4 months at 70°F, but can be stored successfully for 18 months at 32°F to 36°F. Storage life of in-shell nuts may extend to 5 years or more when stored at 0°F (table 1). Burlap bags are satisfactory for holding in-shell pecans if the bags are clean or have been sterilized.
Can you eat pecans right out of the shell? ›
Whether you plan to eat them plain or roasted, or are going to use them in your favorite pie recipe, before pecans are eaten, they must be shelled and cleaned.
Should you wash pecans after shelling? ›
Don't wash pecans. Don't run water over them or even use a damp towel to clean them. Especially in-shell pecans.
Can you eat pecans right off the tree? ›
No, you cannot eat the green nuts that fall off prematurely from the trees as they've still not ripened. Only those nuts that ripen fully by Fall (and hence ready to harvest) are worth eating as they have the rich invigorating flavor you normally associate with nuts.
What can I do with empty pecan shells? ›
Cool weather encourages lots of hours in the yard and you can take your leftover pecan shells and crush them into moderately small pieces. Add the pecan bits to your soil and mix them in thoroughly to produce garden mulch. The shells help retain moisture in the soil, as well as adding an aesthetic appeal to the soil.
How to tell if pecans in shell are bad? ›
Fresh pecans have a distinct aroma, characterized by their sweet, nutty scent. They should have a firm, almost crunchy texture and a rich golden or amber color. On the flip side, bad pecans may show signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell, a shriveled appearance, or a soft and rubbery texture.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees (F).
- Spread the pecans on an ungreased cookie sheet in a single layer. ...
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. ...
- Cool for about 1 hour. ...
- Note ~ You can also attempt to dry the nuts in the oven and keep them raw but this is tricky.
One last way to crack your pecans in the shell when all our other methods have failed you is to boil the pecans to soften the shell. This is a good method if you just purchased a bag of pecans in the shell and want to do them all at once. Add the pecans to the boiling water and simmer them for 15 minutes.
Do fresh pecans need to be cured? ›
Once the pecans are harvested, it's time to dry them. Drying or curing pecans helps preserve them and makes them into the delicious snacks and baking ingredients we love.
Do pecans need to be dried before freezing? ›
Pecans stored below freezing can keep for two years. Make sure kernels are dried properly before freezing. Lay the nuts out several days in a warm, dry place.
How long does pecan wood take to dry? ›
Air dried lumber has beautiful color, it is relatively stress free, and it is considerably less expensive than purchasing dry lumber from a dealer. However, there are trade-offs. For example, as you can imagine, air drying takes time; the rule-of-thumb is a year for each inch of thickness.
