The walnut is one of the oldest and most widespread nuts, and in Italy it evokes autumn and the countryside: nocino, walnut liqueur, is traditionally made with green husks gathered on the night of Saint John.
Toasted in a pan and roughly crushed, walnuts add crunch and a slightly bitter note to grains, cabbage and Jerusalem artichoke salads, soups and desserts. Roughly chopped, they can also go into bread dough. Keep them cool, as they turn rancid easily.