Prepare freshly picked cob/hazelnuts?

[Fallenangel]

I've picked some of the above for the first time earlier this week. I suspect I may have done so a little early, but I was reluctant to wait as last year I did and they had all gone by the time I went back.

I've had a google around for ideas on how to prepare them, and come away even more confused Some links said to boil, some to roast, and some said do nothing and just leave them for six weeks!

Any advice/experience would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks in advance, Rachael

[Thomzo]

I accidentally pruned off a branch from my hazel that had green nuts on it. They've been sat in my conservatory for the last week and I reckon they're pretty much ripe now. If you haven't got a conservatory, a south facing windowsill should do, if we ever get any sun that is.

Zoe

[Green Aura]

When we were kids we used to pick and eat them green - they were tasty.

I have no idea whether they're harmful but I'm still around to tell the tale.

[wabbit955]

you can eat them green or ripe
i would never boil them as you would lose flavour
but roasted is always good
i use a lot in work when in season
i make ever thing from biscults to ice cream with them

[Fallenangel]

Thank you everyone for the replies.

If I roast them, do I roast them in their shells or without? And what is the easiest way to shell them?

[wabbit955]

remove shells before roasting
hit them lightly with hammer

[Zech]

hit them lightly with hammer

don't they skid about all over the place? I use old fashioned nutcrackers, but I've never tried any other way.

[wabbit955]

i put loads between old cloth hit them then sort them out much quicker than one at a time

[Annemieke]

Just keep them a few weeks - like walnuts they need to dry out a bit, though someone I know prefers them fresh.
Annemieke