It is November, the trees are in their most colorful attire and the scent of roasted chestnuts is in the air. These delicious, brown beauties full of valuable nutrients are exactly the topic of today's article. How to prepare hot chestnuts so that they can develop their flavor, how to choose the best ones when shopping and why they are so healthy - you can find out all about it here!
How can you prepare hot chestnuts?
There are different ways you can prepare hot chestnuts - by boiling or roasting. There are also different ways to enjoy them – sweet or salty. Here we will look at each of these options!
So you can enjoy them roasted
The most popular way to prepare hot chestnuts is by roasting them. The preparation consists of soaking the chestnuts in cold water for at least an hour. Then drain them well and use a knife to remove the sharp edges. Then make cross-shaped cuts on the back so that the inside of the chestnuts can roast well. Then place them on a baking tray previously lined with baking paper and cover them with aluminum foil.
How long to roast chestnuts? This takes about 20-25 minutes in a preheated oven at 180 degrees. We recommend shaking the baking sheet while baking. You may be wondering when the chestnuts are fully roasted? You can easily check this yourself! If they don't feel completely tender after the recommended roasting time, turn off the oven, but leave the chestnuts in the oven until they become completely tender.
Roasted chestnuts go well with fruit and dessert wines.
Recipe for cooked chestnuts – salty and sweet
First, cut the chestnut skin crosswise with a sharp kitchen knife to create an X. The cut should reach the chestnut flesh.
Then put the desired amount of chestnuts in a pot, add enough water to cover them and add a pinch of salt.
How long do you cook chestnuts? The answer is: 20 minutes after the water has been brought to a boil. They are ready when the shell visibly cracks when cut through. Then let them cool for a few minutes and peel them with a knife while they are still warm.
For delicious salty chestnuts: While they are still warm, toss them in melted butter in the pan, sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper and add fresh herbs - parsley, for example, gives them a wonderful additional flavor.
For delicious sweet chestnuts: Another option is to add some brown sugar to the butter and stir well until the mixture turns a golden color. Only then add the chestnuts to the pan with some of the water in which they cooked. Stir them well, turn off the pan and put the lid on. Let the chestnuts steam like this for about 10 minutes.
How to choose the best chestnuts
All over the world, chestnuts are considered a staple food. Their nutritional properties are similar to those of potatoes and rice, but the way they are selected is different. Healthy and juicy chestnuts are not soft, quite the opposite. They do not need to ripen because they are not fruits. Therefore they should be firm and heavy - this is how you know they are fresh. Do not choose the lighter and seemingly hollow specimens, as these are often old and of poor quality.
To properly store chestnuts, choose a cooler place, preferably in one of the refrigerator drawers. This way you'll have them on hand longer so you can experiment with different recipes and make hot chestnuts however you like!
What are the benefits of chestnuts compared to all other nuts
The sweetness of chestnuts should not deceive you, because unlike all other nuts, seeds and fruits, chestnuts are low in calories and fat. And the answer to the benefits that the chestnut contains is difficult to exhaust, despite its small size. Potassium, phosphorus, vitamin C, high-quality protein, manganese and minerals are among the super ingredients in this little guy. Potassium and phosphorus play a role in strengthening the cardiovascular, nervous and bone systems. The protein in chestnuts is comparable to that of eggs and is absorbed extremely quickly by the human body. The vitamin C content is as high as that of a lemon. All of this puts chestnuts at the forefront of the foods you should include in your diet to boost your immune system in the fall.
Also read:Make your own sweet pumpkin cream: 5 delicious and easy recipes that you can enjoy this fall
