Chestnut trees grow naturally in Macedonia, usually in the higher mountain areas. Many times I've picked chestnuts myself and I enjoy collecting them. I hope I can pick some this Sunday if the weather is good :)
Amiable mighty chestnut (Castanea sativa) is a natural source of energy and health that we need in the first cold days when adapting the winter. Also, its "cousin," wild chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is extremely healing, although it's not edible.
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| Roasted chestnuts on a hotplate |
The fruits of chestnut purify the blood and strengthen immunity, they are hard to digest, but provide a lot of energy because they contain a lot of carbohydrates, proteins, sugar, fat and fiber.
The ancient nations used chestnuts to strengthen the body, while in the Middle Ages, these fruits were used as an important commodity in the diet of poor strata of society. It is known that the Roman Emperor Caesar ordered to burn the forests of chestnut trees in the areas he conquered, only to destroy food sources of natives.
Chestnut is very nutritious and contains valuable minerals and vitamins such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, almost all groups of vitamin B. The fruits are used in the diet in different ways - boiled, roasted, in the form of puree, dried for flour, in many sweet and savory dishes, as chestnut honey.
Roasting chestnuts on a hotplate
Roasting chestnuts at home is not hard, but many people avoid it and boil chestnuts instead. For me, the only good way to eat chestnuts is the roasted way.
- For start, you'll need fresh chestnuts and knife. Cut every chestnut a little in width.
- Then, put a piece if aluminium foil over the hotplate and arrange the chestnuts. This way is the cleanest. Roast them on both sides at medium heat. Be careful not to burn them.
- When ready, put them in a bag or in a bowl and cover with towel. Leave chestnuts covered for several minutes, they'll peel better this way.
Roasting chestnuts in an oven
- Cut every chestnut a little in width.
- Then put the chestnuts in a pot, add water and some salt. Let them simmer until the water boils, then remove and place in oven at 220 C degrees and bake for about 15 minutes.
- When they are ready, leave to rest for 5 minutes, then enjoy tasty chestnuts.
