Foodie How-to

Chestnuts

Tis the season! Do you enjoy eating chestnuts, or are you interested in trying them?

What are chestnuts?

Chestnuts are edible nuts produced from deciduous trees and shrubs in the beech family. They are also known as Castanea in many cultures, which is a word derived from Latin or Ancient Greek. Their trees typically grow in Europe, Asia and North America.

Why we love them

The macronutrient composition is mainly carbs, protein and fat, making the chestnut quite filling and similar to sweet potatoes and corn. Unlike other nuts and seeds chestnuts are low in calories. They are a great source of dietary fiber, which provides our bodies with many health benefits. Chestnuts are also rich in vitamin C and mono-saturated fats. They are just a wonderful nut, and super delicious.

How do you eat them?

One of the best and most simple ways to eat chestnuts is to bake them in the oven. You will want to make X shaped splits over the shell using a sharp knife of nutcracker. Preheat you oven to 425F and place chestnuts X side up on a proliferated baking tray. Bake chestnuts for 30-40 minutes. You will want to shake the nuts a couple times during baking. They are ready when you begin to see the nut through the X slit created. Remove them from oven and let cool before peeling and eating.

Enjoy warm with a glass of milk.

If you have any other chestnut recipes or ideas, login and share them with us. We would love to hear!