Local Hazelnuts (filberts) are ready!

Hazelnuts (filberts) are ready at Norm Lehne Garden & Orchard in Garden Valley. I bought a 10 lb. sack this morning and had Norm run them through the cracker for me. After I get them all shelled, some will be blanched, toasted and chopped to be added to a green salad for our Think Local Umpqua benefit dinner and concert this Friday. The rest will go into the freezer for winter baking and snacking. I might even try my hand at making some Nutella-style chocolate-hazelnut spread!