Nuts, walnuts, black, dried

Black walnuts have a bolder, more assertive flavor than the common English walnut, often described as earthy or slightly bitter, which is why they show up most often in baked goods like fudge, cookies and cakes where their taste can stand up to sugar and chocolate. They are also chopped over salads, stirred into homemade ice cream, or eaten out of hand as a snack, though their thick, hard shells mean most home cooks buy them already shelled. Because their flavor is stronger than milder nuts, a little goes further in recipes, and they are often used in smaller quantities than pecans or English walnuts in the same dish.

Shelled black walnuts should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer, since their high fat content makes them prone to turning rancid at room temperature faster than many other nuts. A cup of chopped black walnuts runs 619 calories, reflecting their fat density, but per 100 grams they supply 48% of the Daily Value for both protein and magnesium along with 24% for fiber, so a small handful adds meaningful nutrition to a snack, salad topping or baked good rather than just filling out calories.