If there is a food that is Simple,Yet Sublime in its taste, its got to be roasted Chestnuts. Oh, how I love Chestnuts! Chestnuts are available in plenty during Winter. This week when I went to the supermarket I saw chestnuts right by the entrance in oak barrels and couldn't resist buying it. Chestnuts can be used to stuff turkey or in a soup or in a cake in pureed sweetened form but the easiest and best way to eat it is to just roast it in the oven and consume it right after its cooled with just a dash of salt(or not). I find that the taste is almost similar to that of a roasted Jack-fruit seed. Aaha Oho!
The Not-So-Simple Health Benefits and Nutritional facts about Chestnuts:
- Chestnuts are a power house of Vitamin C. Vitamin B6, Thiamine, Folate and Riboflavin are the other nutrients which chestnuts are enriched with.
- Chestnuts prevent heart risks, provides energy, are very low in cholesterol and mainly are good to include in diet as other grains. Preventing common cold and enhancing fertility in men are the health benefits which comes with the presence of Vitamin C.
- Chestnuts are similar to brown rice nutritionally and have been described as a grain that grows on a tree.
- Chestnut protein is of very high quality, comparable with eggs, and is easily assimilated by the human body.
- Chestnuts are made up of primarily complex carbohydrate and have a low Glycemic index (GI). They are low in protein, very low in fat, and are cholesterol free. They contain reasonable quantities of vitamin C and potassium, but have very low sodium levels. They are gluten free.
- Chestnuts - About 40#s(should be firm to touch)
- Salt for taste (Optional)
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Using a serrated or a paring knife put a criss-cross on one side of the chestnut(Use extreme caution to not run the knife over the fingers) to ensure that they don't explode due to pressure when roasting.
- Line them up in a cookie sheet and roast for about 15-20 minutes.
- The shells split opens after nearly 15 minutes of roasting.
- Remove the shell once it can be handled without burning the fingers.
- Sprinkle with a dash of salt(or not) and serve in (news)paper cones.
I've always wanted to try these lassie! You make it look so tempting!--I'm a sucker for toasted nuts. :)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea chestnuts were so healthy. But the main reason I checked out this post is because you mentioned they taste like Jack fruit seeds.
ReplyDeleteRoasted jack fruit seeds can be stored at room T for weeks. Is the same true for chestnuts roasted in the oven? What is the best way, in your opinion, to store them?
Thanks.
@TD: Dear, I have never stored the roasted chestnuts longer than 2 days, that too in the refrigerator. In my house they don't stay that long. So sorry I can't give you an answer. :(.
ReplyDelete