This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)

Nocino is a sweet walnut-based liquor traditionally prepared in several regions like Emilia Romagna, Trentino Alto Adige, Puglia, and Molise in particular.

The basic product for the preparation of this alcoholic drink are walnuts, harvested from the tree when the drupe is still unripe, as it contains a lot of oils and vitamins. The harvest takes place during the summer solstice period, the time when the plants have a higher concentration of active ingredients.

A legend has it that on those harvest nights the witches used to gather under the walnut trees (Juglans regia) and prepare their magical potions with unripe fruits.

Once harvested, the walnuts are cleaned, split into four parts and placed in an alcohol infusion using an airtight container placed for 38 days in the sun. Then, cloves and cinnamon are added to the infusion left to rest for another two days. Sugar dissolved in water is finally added, everything is filtered and bottled, then left to rest for a month.

And there you have it: the delicious “Nocino”, traditionally kept in glass bottles.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)