SHAGBARK HICKORY PRODUCTS

In 2010, in spite of the severe drought, as an experiment we harvested for markets, four bushels of the wonderful nuts that these trees produce. All of them sold. We also began producing Shagbark Hickory syrup from the bark these trees shed. We sold out by autumn. 2011 was a very interesting year as it was the wettest year ever in our region. Our trees did not produce one nut, so they were not offered at market. However, since the Shagbark tree drops bark all year, we were able to produce Shagbark Hickory syrup and were able to keep up with demand.

SHAGBARK HICKORY SYRUP
Hickory syrup is not made by tapping the tree, rather it is made by harvesting the shags of bark that the tree naturally drops and boiling them with sugar. It makes some of the best syrup I have ever tasted and truly rivals the flavor of maple syrup. It has a sweet, almost smoky flavor that is distinctive.The Shagbark tree drops it bark all year around, but since the end product involves a lot of boiling, this product is produced in abundance in the cooler months and is available all year long. We offer 3 sizes: 1/2 pint, 12oz bottles and pint jars.

Pint Jar
	Sweet Hickory Cocktail 2 teaspoons Shagbark Hickory Syrup 2 ounces bourbon Shake over ice and serve.	Peppergreens Vinaigrette - Hickory In a jar or bottle, pour contents of a packet of Peppergreens Vinaigrette - Hickory. Add: 1/3 cup hickory syrup, 1/3 cup olive oil, 4tbl balsamic vinegar salt & pepper to contents in bottle. Shake well. Chill to allow flavors to blend.
	Hickory Pork Chops 6 pork chops (1-inch thick) 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 cup chopped onion 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup Shagbark Hickory Syrup 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce 1/4 cup water Salt & Pepper Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly brown pork chops. Arrange in flat baking dish. Mix together onion, vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce, chili powder, Shagbark Hickory Syrup, water salt & pepper, . Pour over pork chops. Cover. Bake 45 minutes, basting occasionally. Uncover. Bake 15 minutes more. Remove chops to platter. Thicken sauce with flour. Pour over chops. Get a PDF copy of this recipe.

SHAGBARK HICKORY NUTS

A hickory nut is similar to a pecan. It is a smaller nut and more potent in flavor, somewhere between sweet and woodsy. It is a tough nut to crack and there is a trick. Just ask!

SHAGBARK HICKORY WOOD
Hickory woodis a choice wood used in culinary to carpentry items. Chefs and grill masters use hickory chips to impart rich tones into meat and poultry. Hickory also is the staple wood for slow-smoking ribs, briskets and other fatty or tough meats that require long cooking times over low, smoky heat to become tender. The durability of hickory makes it perfect for tool handles, including hammers, axes and other swinging tools. The high bending and crushing strength of hickory makes it ideal for sporting goods, like baseball bats, tennis rackets, skis and golf clubs. Percussion music requires pounding, making hickory an ideal wood for drumsticks and xylophone hammers. Hickory also makes beautiful cabinetry and furniture. If you are interested in hickory wood, contact us. We rarely cut these trees down, but sometimes Mother Nature decides to topple them!