Definition:

The nut grown on the bushy hazel shrub or oriental hazel tree. Hazelnuts, also known as filberts, have a hard, helmet-shaped, reddish brown shell. This smooth shell has a light-colored cap. The small, round, pale gold nut, with its mild, sweet flavor, may be covered with a thin brown skin.

Forms

Hazelnuts are available shelled, as pieces, whole, or in the shell.

Selecting

When buying nuts in the shell look for clean, unbroken shells without any splits, cracks, stains or holes. The nuts should feel heavy for their size -- if they feel light, the nuts inside may be old and shriveled.

Shelled whole nuts should be plump and somewhat uniform in color and size. They should be firm, not limp or rubbery.

Substitutions

Almonds

Storage

Unshelled hazelnuts will last for 6 months in a cool, dry place.

Refrigerate shelled nuts in an airtight container for up to a month or freeze them for up to 6 months.

Yield

1 pound in the shell = 1 1/2 cups shelled = 7 ounces whole

Q\A:

Q: How do you toast and get the skins off of hazelnuts?

A: Toast them in the oven at 350 degrees F. for about 10 minutes until they're fragrant and the skins start splitting. Then either rub them in a kitchen towel or in a metal sieve to remove the skins.