picking green nuts

[cecil39]

can anyone tell me if hazel nuts will keep if I pick them when they are still green, only the squirrels are taking so many we won't have any for Christmas a this rate, I have seen them on the market still green but wonder if they are meant to be eaten fresh not kept.

[woofgang]

green nuts will go mouldy if you try and keep them. The green ones on the market are cobb nuts which are a type of hazel but not all hazels are cobbs, my hazels taste disgusting if you try to eat them while they are green

[Graham-W]

I've harvested green hazel nuts and as long as you allow them to dry properly (airing cupboard, window sill etc) they have been fine for Christmas.

[cecil39]

thanks both of you, the little 'baskets' have had so many I think I will chance it and get up early (very) and pick some to dry as Graham says, and hope they don't start on the sweetcorn next when they can't find any more nuts, my neighbour suggested a four-ten shotgun, but I'drather not.

[Mosaic]

Hmm - they may taste delicious based on that diet, so you could trap a few and make a pie....

[cecil39]

thanks mozaic, my neighbour thinks likewise and would shoot it if he had a nut tree, but he has'nt, anyway the nuts are now in the airing cupboard.