Cathy Isom tells us about the walnut and celebrating one of the world’s healthiest foods. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Every year on this day, May 17th, is National Walnut Day. Walnuts are a tree nut that originated in the Mediterranean region and Central Asia, and have been part of the human diet for thousands of years.
These nuts are rich in omega-3 fats and contain higher amounts of antioxidants than most other foods. They also are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, such as copper, folic acid, phosphorous, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E. Eating walnuts may improve brain health while also helping to prevent heart disease and cancer. Walnuts are most often eaten on 
their own as a snack. However, they can also be added to salads, pastas, breakfast cereals, soups and baked goods. And are also great dipped in chocolate.
They are also used to make walnut oil, an expensive culinary oil often used in salad dressings.
The husk of the walnut, which is peeled away from the shell at harvest, contains juice which will readily stain anything it comes in contact with. The husk juice has been used as a cloth dye.
The United States is the world’s largest exporter of walnuts, with 99-percent of the nation’s commercial English walnuts produced in California’s Sacramento-area and San Joaquin valley.
However you decide to celebrate and recognize the Walnut today, don’t forget to post your thoughts and photos using the hashtag #national walnut day.
I’m Cathy Isom…