It's October . . . walnuts are in season.  The whole year's supply is being harvested right now from coast to coast, mostly in California, which is one of the world's most abundant walnut sources.  And, from what I've read, they're the healthiest nut out there.  If you haven't cracked a fresh walnut lately, do yourself a favor and get to your local farmers market and buy some ($3/pint or 2 pints/$5 at the Dupont Circle farmers market).     

I was reminded yesterday of the world of difference between fresh-out-of-the-shell walnuts and the pre-shelled, dried-up, bagged variety I buy year-round.  Before yesterday, I don't think I had eaten a walnut out of the shell since I was a kid.  I bought some at the market Sunday, only to discover when I arrived home that I didn't have a nutcracker.  So yesterday, on my lunch break, I bought the nutcracker below (which apparently doubles as a lobster cracker) for $4.99.  It was made in Italy by Ghidini.  I passed on a couple of more expensive models by other makers ($12-$20) and I'm glad I did.  This one does the job just fine.  I guess this qualifies as my first official equipment review.