Unfortunately, the female tree will produce a fruit coating surrounding the nut. When ripe, the fruit falls from the tree and proceeds to rot immediately, producing an odor similar to a sick school kid.
Squirrels seem oblivious to the smell and harvest the nuts quickly.
Harvest the nuts. Let dry several weeks in a well-ventilated location. Crack and roast like almonds or sunflower seeds. Copyright 1995 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. The information provided is for educational purposes only.