There a number of varieties of nuts in the world that are not usually seen in America. One of those, oyster nuts, comes from East Africa. The oyster nut is actually a member of gourd family. It is a fast growing climbing vine that can grow sixty to seventy feet tall and individual vines may grown to over 100 feet in length and clings to the trees and plants that surround it.
The plant is sensitive to cold and frost but in the right conditions can live fifteen to twenty years. The plant is propagated by seed and takes eighteen months for the plant to flower. There are both male and female plants and until they flower it is impossible to tell which is which.
The gourd takes four to five months to mature and at maturity look like large footballs with deep ridges. They grow to one to one and half feet in length, eight to twelve inches in diameter and may weigh up to thirty pounds. When the gourd ripens they burst open releasing 100 to 140 pale yellow seeds that are contained in the gourds golden yellow pulp. These seeds are the nuts. They are covered by a strong, bitter tasting husk. The nuts are large, flat, and circular shaped about 1 and one half inches in length by one half inch thick.
The name, oyster nut, come from the appearance of the nut, and are opened the same way oysters are shucked. The nut is cut around the edge and they pried open to extract the kernels.
Oyster nuts can be eaten either raw or roasted. Their flavor is similar to a Brazil Nut. The kernels are the edible portion of the nut and the outer shell must be removed in order to obtain the kernels. The outer shell should not be consumed as it is extremely bitter and unpleasant.
Oyster nuts are high in fat, about 62% and in protein, about 27%.
In East Africa the nuts are used to make sweets, cakes, and soups. The oyster nut is sometimes made into a paste and mixed with fish and cooked in a banana leaf. Also in East Africa the oyster nut is used for its medicinal properties as it encourages milk production in nursing mothers.
Oils are also extracted from the nuts which are used for cooking, cosmetics and soap making. After extracting the oil from the kernels the residue is then used for animal feed.
The oyster nut is well know in East Africa but its use in America is extremely rare. As the oyster nut becomes more well known and cultivated its use in America may include candy production and as a component of mixed nuts.
Nuts are versatile and delicious. The oyster nut is just one of the exotic varieties that someday may grow to be extremely popular throughout the world.
