. . . Hickory nuts, that is 

  If you live in a part of the country that has hickory trees . . . start gathering them now. . . . for cooking.   If you like to grill or smoke meats, a double handful of hickory nuts will give you more hickory flavor than a whole bag of hickory chips.

  You just want the nut . . . not the hulls (and if you're lucky enough to have a hickory tree over a street or driveway, the hulls will usually come off when they hit the pavement.  Depending on how much grilling you do, 1-2 gallons will last all year.  I have at least three gallons now.

  If you're cooking steaks or burgers, soak the nuts in water for a few minutes and throw 4-6 on the coals . . . that should do it.  If smoking meats (turkey, venison, elk, pork hams), toss a handful (pre-soaked) on the coals every hour or so.

  First heard of this when I was in the diving business (75'), and there was a restaurant in north Fla., famous for their steaks (they also raised their own beef), but advised the "secret" to the flavor was that they cooked same with hickory nuts.  I've been using them ever since, and every year I try and get folks to try . . .  now is the time.

  So . . . if you have them available . . . give it a try and post your results . . . so others will gather them before the squirrels do.

  Be Safe,   PFDANs

     Richard

Thanks for the reply Brian, and I wish you a never-ending supply of Aussie beer (I can still only drink the non-alcoholic varieties . . . dammit!)

Great link for hickory recipes . . . I have a few for hickory cakes, but have never had the patience to crack the number of nuts necessary to get a half-cup or more of the nutmeat required.  My guess is it would take almost a gallon of nuts to get a cup of nutmeat . . . which is probably why there aren't many who go to the trouble.

We have a hickory charcoal plant here, and one of their employees gave me a gallon of liquid hickory-smoke a few years ago . . . good for adding to chili or other such dishes, but for grilling/smoking I prefer the nuts.

I've been missing the board and this family . . . have been in a bad funk . . . quagmire of stress, ills, general negativity  (whaa . . . whaa . . . whaa . . .call the whambulance . . ) . . . better now, so you'll have to put up with my ramblings again.

Great to hear from you and best wishes to all in the Land of OZ.

  Be Safe,   PFDANs

     Richard

Welcome home Richard...