Pine nuts are not only tasty, but also very useful product for our body. The composition contains a large number of different nutrients and elements. In addition, pine nuts have a large energy reserve that every person needs. That is why when eating this product, you need to know how to clean the pine nuts from the shell. We will talk about this in more detail in this article.
Types of processing
Speaking about how to clean the pine nuts from the shell, you should pay attention to the fact that on an industrial scale this product is processed using special equipment. But what to do at home? You can independently process the cone, extracting nuts from there and peeling them from the shell. You can use several methods for these purposes. Considering how to clean the pine nuts from the shell, it should be noted that each method is very effective and safe, so you can implement it yourself at home. These include:
- Pine nuts can be processed with a sieve.
- If you have a large quantity of this product, then you can use grater and fork for cones.
- If you do not know how to peel the pine nuts, then you can use a sharp change in temperature.
- Some use water for these purposes.
And if you want to improve the taste of the product, then you can fry the nuts a little or calcine. This can be done with the help of an oven, a frying pan or a Russian stove.
Instruments
So, we continue to consider how to clean the pine nuts from the shell. Before introducing you to the cleansing process, it should be noted that harvesting begins after August 20. To do this, cones are collected in advance in the cedar forests. With a good harvest, when mature cones under the influence of the wind themselves fall from the trees to the ground, about 10 bags of nuts can be collected per day.
So still, how to peel the pine nuts from the shell? What tools will be needed for this? You can make your own equipment with which you can process cones:
- Shishkoterka. This device has the form of a square deep iron box without a bottom. Inside is a roller with spikes. Such a grater has a handle on the outside. This device works on the principle of a meat grinder. To do this, put 1-2 buckets of pine cones into the box, twist them. Cones break, fall together with nuts in a bag specially prepared and prepared in advance.
- Sita. At the next stage of shelling pine nuts, you will need a sieve of two sizes. With their help, pine nuts are cleaned of husks and debris. The sieves will differ by the diameter of the hole. In a sieve with large openings, primary processing is carried out, and with the help of a small sieve, the nuts are processed even more thoroughly, being cleaned of debris. Cones after the grater must be thrown initially on a large sieve. Nuts that remain in the product must fall on a plastic bag or film, which previously spreads under a sieve. After this, the procedure is repeated, but on another product, with the smallest holes. As a result, this method of processing will provide you with clean nuts without garbage and husks.
- Rubel. How to clean the pine nuts from the shell further? At the next stage of cleansing, you need a ruble, which is a tool that looks like a simple washboard. With this tool you can very quickly peel pine nuts. Cones are stacked on a ruble, pushed on top by a board that has a handle. With small and quick pressure, the bump rubs between two surfaces. As a result, the nuts are separated, after which they must be cleaned of debris.
In addition, the technology of cleaning pine nuts from the shell also involves the use of pliers, a hammer, and garlic gum. These devices are used if it is necessary to clean the cones.
At home
And how to get pine nuts from the shell at home? This will depend on how much product you want to clean. If you have bought several cones on the market and want to enjoy this delicacy, then you will not need any professional equipment. To do this, you do not need to acquire special devices for cleaning the pine nuts from the shell. The whole process will be very simple as well as fast.
Small Volume Technique
If you are going to peel a small amount of pine cones, you can apply the method without any special tools and equipment for peeling the pine nuts. For this you will need only improvised means. This should include weighted items. You can also apply a change in temperature or plain water. Let's consider these methods separately.
Boil cones
Cones must be placed in any container, pour water. When they boil, it is necessary to drain the water, and cool the cones. Thanks to hot water, the flakes become soft, the nuts are quite easy to get. In addition, this method helps to get rid of the resin, which sticks to the hands.
Manual peeling
For this treatment you will need a simple household bucket, as well as gloves. Two buckets are needed: under the trash, as well as a clean nut. The bump should be taken with both hands, at the same time twist in opposite directions. As a result of this, it breaks, nuts fly out from there.
At the stake
This treatment is very convenient if people are somewhere in nature. To do this, in a dying bonfire, when only coals are left, it is necessary to throw cones, then bake them like a simple potato. In time, this should take no more than 10 minutes. The resin should burn out, and the bump should become softer, after which it will be easy to pull out the nuts from there.
And now we will consider how to clean pine nuts from the shell.
Change in temperature
Peeled prepared nuts should be put in the freezer for 20 minutes. After that, they pour out into a container where boiling water is poured in advance. Keep nuts in the liquid for 5 minutes, and then fold through a colander. The product is slightly dried, after which you can peel the nuts with your fingers. This method significantly softens the shell, it becomes the most elastic, soft, easily crushed. In addition, this method is quite simple.
Soaking in water
Prepared nuts should be poured with water, left for several hours, then drained and cleaned. To speed up this process, you can fill in nuts with boiling water.
Sudden cooling and heating
The temperature regime can be applied in the opposite direction. To do this, first, nuts are heated in a pan, and then poured into iced water. Nuts should be in the liquid for several hours. After this, the water must be drained through a colander.
Freezer
You can also soften the shell of pine nuts with the help of a freezer. They are laid out for this in packages, and then sent to the freezer for about a couple of hours, so that the product is well frozen. After that, they need to be pulled out and rolled out with a simple rolling pin on the table, but without removing it from the bag. As a rule, the shells crack, and the kernels are easily taken.
Tools at hand
This can include some heavy objects, for example, a wrench, a hammer, pliers. If you decide to use this method of peeling nuts, then you do not need to pound them. It is only necessary to press the nut with a hard object so that a crack appears on the shell, after which it is peeled off by hand.
Practical tips
You can process nuts in completely different ways. The main condition is that the method should be convenient for you. It should also be remembered that the peeled product deteriorates very quickly, so it is recommended to clean the nuts immediately before eating them. Consider useful tips and tricks:
- Due to the high content of fatty substances in nuts, long-term storage will not be practical for peeled kernels. The fact is that over time this product acquires a bitter taste, while losing all its beneficial properties for the body.
- At the time of buying pine nuts, you should make sure that they have not expired.
- After purchasing nuts in the store or after processing, they should be washed in warm water, and then dried a little. This must be done in order to remove fine dust from the shell. In addition, safety and cleanliness are necessary before eating foods.
- If you processed the nuts in an aqueous manner, then they should be thoroughly dried. It is advisable to do this in the fresh air or in a well-ventilated, warm room. For the most uniform drying of nuts, it is recommended to periodically turn over.
- In no case should you store nuts in a wet form, as they will mold.
- Pay attention to the fact that not only in the kernels, but also in the shell itself contains vitamins, trace elements, as well as other useful substances. You can dry such spent raw materials, and then use them for the preparation of various medicinal tinctures, inhalations and lotions. Such home remedies have a very pleasant taste, contain vitamins E, B, as well as resins and fatty acids. Use such compounds for the treatment of colds, with rheumatism, as well as other diseases of the joints.
- To prevent nuts from rolling around the table surface during processing, they must be placed in the hole of a large diameter wrench. After that, with the help of a hammer or rolling pin, it is necessary to carefully crack the shell, hands clearing of the remains.
- If you are going to extract kernels of nuts from cones in large quantities, then you need to do this with gloves. This way you will prevent sticky resin from sticking to your hands.
- Gutted cones, processing waste, as well as flakes can be used as fertilizer for growing indoor plants, as well as for seedlings in the garden. In addition, this waste is used in the field of cosmetology for bathtubs, as well as a hair rinse.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that cedar kernels are used in food both raw and fried. In addition, they can be used in cooking for the manufacture of a variety of dishes. In traditional medicine, you can find recipes for preparing a honey-nut mixture, which is taken in the morning on an empty stomach in order to replenish your body with energy, as well as useful vitamins and substances.