Superfood Spotlight: Walnuts

What You Should Know: Walnuts are grown and enjoyed around the world. Although they are traditionally a fall food like most nuts, we love walnuts year-round as they are easy to store and lend a delicious flavor to anything from raw desserts and oatmeal, to homemade breads and energy bars. This is the kind of superfood we can get behind. It fits right in with our favorite foods and is one of the easiest ways to boost the nutrition in just about anything you eat!

Why You Should Try It: Walnuts contain more anti-oxidants than any other nut. With it’s high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts provide benefits similar to salmon and other cold-water fish. These fatty acids are great for heart health, lower cholesterol, support brain health and mood, and increase circulation to the skin. What’s not to love? Walnuts are also rich in vitamin E, zinc, and folic acid.

Let’s Get Together: Quite honestly, we could sprinkle walnuts over just about anything. We suggest you try them toasted atop a few of the dishes included in your Thanksgiving Day feast. Add a spoonful to salads or side dishes, serve a bowl with pre-dinner nibbles, or sprinkle on top of just about anything you serve for dessert.

To give walnuts a light toast, bake a single layer of loosely arranged nuts on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 8 – 10 minutes. No oil necessary. If your oven is over-loaded this week, simply toast the walnuts over the stove top: Stir a skillet full of nuts over medium high heat for 3 – 5 minutes. Stir frequently and watch closely to avoid burning.

Extras: Check out these beautiful red walnuts from Catherine McCord at weelicious. They taste as good as they look!