At the table - Walnut wisdom.
Updated: Dec 10, 2025
October is the opal month of the year. It is the month of glory, of ripeness — and of walnuts. It's a grand month in France, is October. The days are still and temperatures kind. It's good market weathr land walnuts are everywhere. Craggy little treasures, it feels so good to plunge your hand into a sack of them just for a grin.I am not sure which nut wears the kingly crown, as they could all make a pretty good case, but the walnut could easily be annointed. They have that regal look and a complex symmetry that matches a complex flavour.
Prized for thousands of years, walnuts have carried folkloric meaning reaching far beyond the table. To the ancient Greeks, they symbolised wisdom, their hemisphric halves resembling the shape of the brain. To other civilisations they stood for strength and luck. Roman soldiers carried the odd walnut into battle for symbolic prowess on the field of battle. Brides festooned the tables of their wedding breakfasts with walnuts to promote fertility. It has been a power nut for a while.
Here in South West France, October belongs to the walnut. The Dordogne and Périgord valleys are rife with walnut trees, many in proper orchards and stands, but some just hanging out on roadside or in lay-bys, as just part of the cast of rural extras. At this time of year, some families gather to climb and shake the trees to collect the ready crop, a ritual as old as the villages themselves. The great thing being that like most nuts, they don't need immediate "doing-with" like blackberries or cherries. They are as happy in a sack as they were on the tree, and kept dry and dark, they will stay happy for months. For me and Vanessa, the issue is always what to do with so many. It's a bit of a performance to shell and eat them just "as is" and - as romatic as it might sound to fold them into a rustic lump of bread dough, we don't really go beyond talking about that. Nor do we really scour the markets for soft blue cheeses and salad leaves with which to pair our nutty windfall. So we put them in bowls. Decoratively. They are sort of seasonally emblamatic for us - big bowls of walnuts. Strength in small packages. We do eat them, from time to time, always after the elusive "whole". The one that comes out of a co-operative shell in one whole piece. I have shouted upstairs on more than 100 occasions, announcing this triumph of nutcracker nurture.
The Health Power of Walnuts - Nutrition in a nutshell.
Heart Health: Rich in alpha-linolenic acid (plant-based omega-3), walnuts help reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. Studies link walnut consumption to lower LDL cholesterol and improved blood vessel function.
Brain Function: Their brain-like shape is more than symbolic. Walnuts provide polyphenols, vitamin E, and antioxidants that support memory, cognition, and protection against age-related decline.
Fertility & Reproductive Health: Historically linked to fertility, modern studies suggest walnuts can improve sperm vitality and support hormonal balance in women.
Weight Management: Though calorie-dense, walnuts promote satiety, helping with appetite control and metabolic health.
Gut Health: Walnuts act as a prebiotic, encouraging beneficial gut bacteria that are linked to immune resilience and mood regulation.
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits: Their blend of omega-3s, polyphenols, and magnesium make walnuts a natural ally against chronic inflammation.
Bone Health: A source of copper, phosphorus, and magnesium, walnuts help maintain strong, resilient bones.
A Seasonal Reminder
The walnut is more than a snack; it is a symbol of nourishment across body and spirit. From medieval superstitions to Michelin-starred kitchens, from battlefield to bakery, it has been a companion to human life for thousands of years. As October fills the markets with their gnarled shells and golden kernels, it is worth pausing to remember their quiet strength. To crack a walnut is to release not only a rich and earthy flavor, but a lineage of meaning, culture, and health that endures.
Information shared by Platform 13 regarding food, nutrition, or wellness is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We encourage all guests and readers to consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to their diet, lifestyle, or health practices.
Comments