Composition and useful properties of fruits, when it is worth refusing to use them. The use of gray walnut in cooking. Dish recipes.
Gray walnut (lat. Juglans cinerea) is a tree of the Walnut family, the branches of which have a gray tint, which gave the plant its name. Has a beautiful openwork crown and feathery leaves. The distribution area is the east coast of North America. The plant is quite light and moisture-loving, but frost-resistant, therefore its cultivation is associated with certain difficulties. Most often it can be found in park areas. The fruits of the gray walnut are harvested in autumn with special machines. The fruit is ribbed, somewhat similar to fish scales. Such a shell tightly holds its shell, is sticky to the touch, remains green for a long time. The cut of the fruit looks like Japanese hieroglyphs. Gray walnut has a bitter taste and traditionally remains a favorite treat for squirrels. However, peeled fruits are eaten not only by rodents, but also by people.
Composition and calorie content of gray walnut
The gray walnut is rich in various vitamins and amino acids. It contains essential oils and enzymes. It also contains organic iodine and tannin.
The calorie content of gray walnut is 612 kcal per 100 g, of which:
- Proteins - 24.9 g;
- Fat - 57 g;
- Carbohydrates - 12.1 g;
- Water - 3.34 g;
- Dietary fiber - 4.7 g.
Vitamins per 100 g:
- Vitamin A, RE - 6 μg;
- Vitamin B1, thiamine - 0.383 mg;
- Vitamin B2, riboflavin - 0.148 mg;
- Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid - 0.633 mg;
- Vitamin B6, pyridoxine - 0.56 mg;
- Vitamin B9, folate - 66 mcg;
- Vitamin C, ascorbic acid - 3.2 mg;
- Vitamin PP, NE - 1.045 mg.
Macronutrients per 100 g:
- Potassium, K - 421 mg;
- Calcium, Ca - 53 mg;
- Magnesium, Mg - 237 mg;
- Sodium, Na - 1 mg;
- Phosphorus, P - 446 mg.
Microelements per 100 g:
- Iron, Fe - 4.02 mg;
- Manganese, Mn - 6.56 mg;
- Copper, Cu - 450 mcg;
- Selenium, Se - 17.2 μg;
- Zinc, Zn - 3.13 mg.
Essential amino acids per 100 g:
- Arginine - 862 g;
- Valine - 1.541 g;
- Histidine - 0.808 g;
- Isoleucine - 1.179 g;
- Leucine - 2.199 g;
- Lysine - 0.77 g;
- Methionine - 0.611 g;
- Threonine - 0.94 g;
- Tryptophan - 0.366 g;
- Phenylalanine - 1.442 g.
Replaceable amino acids per 100 g:
- Alanine - 1.372 g;
- Aspartic acid - 3.096 g;
- Glycine - 1.508 g;
- Glutamic acid - 6.084 g;
- Proline - 1.236 g;
- Serine - 1.64 g;
- Tyrosine - 0.977 g;
- Cysteine - 0.484 g.
Fatty acids per 100 g:
- Omega-3 - 8.718 g;
- Omega-6 - 33.727 g;
- Palmitic - 0.872 g;
- Stearic - 0.425 g;
- Oleic - 10.352 g;
- Linoleic acid - 33, 727 g;
- Linolenic - 8, 718 g.
The beneficial effect of vitamins in the composition of the gray nut on the human body:
- B vitamins … They contribute to the normalization of energy, protein, fat and carbon metabolism, support of the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems, the synthesis of a number of hormones, protein, hemoglobin, normalization of cholesterol and lipids in the blood. They inhibit the aging process and cause the rapid elimination of excess fluid due to the diuretic effect, improve mental abilities and brain function, protect against free radicals (antioxidant properties), help reduce the effects of alcohol and tobacco, and help hair and nails grow.
- Vitamin A … It leads to the normalization of metabolism, the formation of healthy bones and teeth, protects against colds, accelerates the healing of wounds from sunburn. This compound helps to increase antioxidant properties, this effect is useful both in the treatment of malignant tumors and for prophylactic purposes.
- Vitamin PP … Promotes the normalization of redox processes, regulation of the central nervous system, has a positive effect on digestion processes, protects the cardiovascular system, normalizes cholesterol levels, detoxifies the body and removes toxins, regulates hormonal levels (participates in the formation of a number of thyroid hormones), stimulates the formation of the hormone of joy - serotonin.
- Vitamin C … Demonstrates good antioxidant properties, strengthens the immune system, resists various viral and bacteriological diseases, promotes healing of various injuries and wounds, regulation of hematopoiesis, normalization of capillary permeability, collagen synthesis, regulation of metabolism. This vitamin restores the functions of the pancreas and thyroid glands, slows down the aging process, and reduces the harmful effects of alcohol and tobacco.
Macronutrients
present in the composition of the gray nut, contribute to the regulation of water and energy metabolism, normalization of blood pressure, blood clotting, regulate the work of the cardiovascular and central nervous system.
The most important action of trace elements, which are rich in gray walnut:
- Iron - participates in the formation of blood;
- Manganese - the most important element for the formation of bone and connective tissue, contributes to the normal functioning of the reproductive system;
- Copper - stimulates the assimilation of proteins and carbons, takes part in the processes of oxygen transportation;
- Selenium - has antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, in addition, it is an important link in the regulation of the level of thyroid hormones;
- Zinc - participates in the synthesis and decay of carbons, fats and proteins. In addition, it helps cleanse the liver.
Useful properties of gray walnut
The healing properties of the fruits are completely determined by their composition. They are used in the treatment of flu and colds, skin diseases, diseases of the reproductive system, gastrointestinal disorders, problems in the functioning of the endocrine system, liver diseases, to get rid of helminths, to combat excess weight and vitamin deficiency.
Nuts will help patients recover from a serious illness and help to strengthen the immune system. For this, it is recommended to consume 2-4 fruits daily. In addition, they will be useful for women, as they normalize the activity of the reproductive system.
Tinctures, juice and oil made on the basis of gray walnut are used as medicines. Most often they are used as an analgesic, wound healing, tonic and immunostimulating agent.
Gray walnut oil has proven itself well in the treatment of skin diseases (ulcers, abscesses, shingles) due to its anti-inflammatory effect. In order to quickly recover from colds, inhalation is done with such a remedy. Tincture from the peel of the fruit will help get rid of worms, and the juice has hemostatic properties, so it is used to heal wounds of various etiologies.
To prepare the tincture, prepare a gray nut (250-300 g), vodka or cognac (500 ml). Cut the previously washed fruits into halves. We put it in a transparent container. Fill with vodka or brandy. Close tightly and leave in a dark, well-ventilated place for 14 days. Then drain and strain the liquid. Store in a cool place. To combat colds, the agent should be taken in 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day, preferably before meals.
To prepare a tincture with sugar, take a green gray nut (500 g), sugar (200 g), vodka (500 g), vanilla sugar (1 teaspoon). Grind unripe nuts with a blender. Place the resulting mass in a transparent container. Add sugar. Then mix thoroughly. Leave in a dark place for a week. After 7 days, add vodka to the resulting liquid. Also leave in a dark place for 4 weeks. Shake the mixture once every 3 days. Strain into a dark container and refrigerate. To take a tincture of gray walnut with sugar to improve immunity, fight colds and normalize the thyroid gland, 1 tablespoon should be taken 3 times a day, preferably after meals.
Thus, the benefits of gray walnut are as follows:
- Elimination of inflammatory processes of a different nature;
- Prevention of the development of cancers;
- Strengthening the immune system;
- Enhancement of brain activity, improvement of attention and concentration;
- Recuperation after lingering illnesses;
- Rejuvenating effect, slowing down the aging process;
- Fight against stress and nervous exhaustion;
- Diuretic properties and removal of excess fluid from the body;
- Cleansing action, combating human parasites;
- Reducing the risk of atherosclerosis;
- Prevention of the development of vitamin deficiency.
Contraindications and harm of gray walnut
Despite the impressive list of beneficial properties inherent in the fruit, in some cases, you can encounter harm from the gray nut.
To eliminate its negative impact, you should use it with caution:
- If you are allergic to any other types of nuts;
- During pregnancy and lactation;
- With exacerbation of peptic ulcer and gastritis;
- With thrombophlebitis.
How is gray walnut eaten?
Gray walnut is used not only for the production of medicines, but also in cooking. The fruits can be eaten raw, or you can prepare an original dish on their basis. The nut is added as an ingredient in salads and desserts, and sauces are prepared from its oil.
In the United States, the gray walnut is widely used in the confectionery industry. And from the trunk of a tree in the spring, sweet juice is extracted, like from a birch, from which syrup is then prepared.
Harvested in the autumn. Before preparing dishes, they must be peeled off. The easiest way to do this is to use water, since it lags behind under the influence of liquid.
It is recommended to store fruits in a shell, in a metal container or in cotton bags. To do this, choose a cool place and limit access to sunlight. It is permissible to store gray walnut in such conditions no more than six months.
Baked gray walnut recipe
Prepare the following ingredients: gray walnut (1 pc.), Melted butter (50 g), bread crumbs made from whole grain flour (100 g), ground nutmeg (? Tsp.), Dried cinnamon (? Tsp..), apples cut into slices (2 pcs.).
Remove the skin from the nut and cut into halves. Spread melted butter mixed with breadcrumbs, spices and apples on top of them. Place the nuts in a baking dish, cover with foil and bake in a preheated 180 ° C oven for 45 minutes. Then remove the foil and place the nuts in the oven for another 10 minutes. The dish is ready when the top is browned.
Interesting facts about gray walnut
In North America, gray walnut is the most cold-resistant of the Hazelnuts.
When planting, it is imperative to foresee the size of an adult plant, since it does not like tightness, and when transplanted to a new place, it may die. Sufficiently moist, light and well-ventilated areas will be ideal for growing. Gray walnut is not afraid of drafts and frost.
The seeds are prepared for planting by pre-soaking in cold or hot water. After soaking, they are planted in wet sand and then in soil. A tree can grow 20-30 cm per year.
Gray walnut wood is used as a raw material for the manufacture of musical instruments, furniture and various souvenirs.
Watch the video about the gray walnut:
