Soaking hazelnuts - new idea

[rhianna813]

So we have access to hazelnuts and they are sure wonderful. In NT the instructions for soaking these nuts is very time consuming. First you roast them and remove the skins. Then soak and dehydrate so they are crispy. Since I am cracking them first, the whole process makes my head spin. LOL Although I have 6 year old cracking them with a rock and he is having a great time!

I found a suggestion online about how to get the skins off easier. You blanch the nuts in boiling water for 3 minutes with 2 tablespoons baking soda. Rinse in cold water and run the skins right off. I figure they could go right to the soaking stage after this. Then perhaps roast them to crisp them up?

Thanks for any feedback on this process :-)

Rhianna

[PeggyinNC]

Sounds great except that the boiling would kill the enzymes, I think? Sally Fallon's directions include dehydrating the nuts at a low enough temperature to keep from killing the enzymes.

[rhianna813]

Ack! I am certain you are correct about the boiling water.

And I am guessing attempting to soak the nuts with the skins on, would not help eliminate the enzyme inhibitors. I wonder what temp the oven can be to roast the skins off, but not kill the enzymes. Maybe NT says, I'll need to check that out. The last time I roasted nuts (no soaking) the oven temp was pretty high, maybe 250 - 275.

Rhianna