December 2, 2011

Cracking Gingko Nuts

Gingko trees are gorgeous in the summer, but you start to feel differently about them when autumn comes around. They still look beautiful, with their now-yellowing leaves, but nothing can prepare you for the rancid smell of gingko fruit. Walk down a gigko-lined street, and you wonder if someone forgot to clean up after their dog.

Gingko nuts are edible and are oft-utilized in Japanese meals. However, they are notoriously annoying to cook.

First, you have to dig up the gingko nut from inside the orange fruit. It's apparently best to wait until the fruit has the puffiniess of pruny fingers. (This is why you see older ladies in public picking up the ones that look the nastiest.)


Next, you need to use something hard to crack the outer shell. If you use too much force, you end up crushing the nut inside, so it's best to create cracks all around, and then use your hands to break the shell open.

A smushed nut reveals the beginnings of a sprout.

The inside of the shell is a nice gleaming brown. Someone should try and make furniture from this.

After, they are boiled in water until the skins come off completely. They should be a nice yellow by the end.

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