Nocino - Italian Green Walnut Liqueur

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Pick the walnuts in the end of June to make sure that they are big but still green. Wash them thoroughly and slice them into quarts. When cutting them make sure that they are white and almost watery-juicy inside, toss the ones that are more brown inside as they will make it too bitter.

Ingredients

Green Walnuts
2 Organic Lemons
Cloves
Coffee Beans
Vanilla Pod
Cinnamon Sticks
3L Vodka
Sugar

4L Airtight Preserving Jar

Wash the green walnuts and cut them into quarters. You might want to consider wearing gloves and be very careful with your clothes, as the clear juices from the walnut stain (Walnut used to be used to stain fabrics naturally). Cut off blackened parts if there are any. Then place the walnuts into a big airtight preserving jar.

Add all the spices (making sure to slice the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape out the insides before adding both insides and pod into the jar). Wash your organic lemons and then peel them (making sure you don’t take too much of the pith) and add them in as well. Pour over the vodka and seal until December, storing in a dark cool place.

This is the recipe for the classic version, but feel free to experiment with quantities as well as spices; this year I have added orange peel and a couple of star anise.