Wild hazelnuts, beech nuts and cobnuts

It is the season of nuts at the moment.   A few weeks ago we found wild hazelnuts growing along the edge of the river in Wiltshire.

Wild hazelnuts

Hazelnut trees in the hedgerows

Another edible nut, beech nuts (from the beech tree we gathered leaves to make gin for earlier in the year) are also beginning to ripen and scatter their fruit all over the lawn.

Scattered beech nuts

The ones that have fallen are all a little unripe, but when they're ready the nuts have a sweet, morish taste and look so beautiful in the silky open shells (below).  The squirrels love them as well.

Fallen beech nuts (still a little unripe)

Finally, cobnuts are also in season, but not in our garden.  I found a box in the market, and brought them home in celebration  - fantastic.

I've also found a site online - Allen's Farm in Kent, that grows and sells them, and also has some recipes.

Fresh cobnuts