Oh That Old Chestnut!
by Gary Stevens
As the winter nights are drawing in and the temperature is falling, this can only mean one thing, it is time for the chestnut season. Chestnuts start becoming in season from October in the UK, but the peak of the season hits us between November and December. In the culinary world, eating foods in season is fashionable. This is because the food will not only be at its best and ripest, but it is also readily available making it cheaper!
History of the Chestnut
The chestnut dates back to prehistoric times, whereby it is said that the nut steered a Greek Army (401-399 BC) away from bother! Yes, the legend states that this army who were retreating from Asia Minor survived because they had a large store of chestnuts available to them.
However, it was first introduced to Europe from Sardis as a 'Sardian nut', since then it has been a staple food in Europe, Turkey and eastern Asia for over a millennia.
Nutritional Value
Chestnuts have a high nutritional value. Firstly, they contain no cholesterol and very little fat. Just like the rest of the nut family, the chestnut is gluten free. Moreover it contains a variety of vitamins and minerals such as:
- Vitamin C: the chestnut is a unique nut, because of the fact that it is the only one in the family that contains Vitamin C. This vitamin is important because it is needed for the growth and repair of tissues. It is used to form a protein which makes skin, ligaments, tendons and blood vessels. This means that it can heal wounds by forming scar tissues, and maintains as well as repairs your cartilage bones. The benefits of Vitamin C doesn't stop here! It is also an antioxidant which offers protection against harmful radicals.
- Iron: is an essential mineral as it helps carry oxygen around the body.
- Calcium: has several functions. It helps strengthen bones and teeth, regulates muscle contractions and ensures blood clots normally.
- Magnesium: helps keep your blood pressure normal, heart rhythm steady and your bones nice and strong.
- Phosphorus: required for cells to function properly. It also regulates calcium for strong bones and teeth.
- Zinc: this mineral stimulates some of the enzymes in your body to help support your immune system. It also helps healthy growth development and so it is especially important during childhood, adolescence and pregnancy
- Potassium: your body requires this mineral in order to build proteins and muscles, and maintaining normal body growth
So as you can see the old chestnut is very good for you. What a great reason to get stuck in!
Ways to preserve your chestnuts
If you are collecting your own chestnuts the best time to get them is when the leaves fall. But don't lose the race between you and the squirrels. You should aim to to collect them as soon as they hit the ground before they start deteriorating on the forest floor.
When assembling your chestnuts together do not confuse them with Horse chestnuts (also known as conkers). You can tell the two apart because the sweet chestnuts pods have longer spikes on them which are more hairy in appearance.
When assembling your chestnuts together do not confuse them with Horse chestnuts (also known as conkers). You can tell the two apart because the sweet chestnuts pods have longer spikes on them which are more hairy in appearance.
If you are keeping the chestnuts until Christmas, make sure that first of all you vigorously check for holes and cracks in the nut. Those that you find do have cracks or holes in should be discarded. The best way to freeze your nuts is by blanching them beforehand. You are then best peeling them straight away as the skins will come off easier this way.
If you are planning to roast your chestnuts keep them hanging in a onion bag. This will allow the air to circulate around them to prevent them from going damp which will turn them mouldy.
Ideas to cook your chestnut
There are lots of things that you could do with your chestnuts. You could roast them, fry them, mill them into flour, boil them, steam them and even grill them. One particular English favourite is roasted chestnuts. These have the texture of a baked potato but with a sweet and nutty flavour.
Why not try a chestnut and truffle chocolate cake or using it as a stuffing in meat?
In a nutshell !
It is finally that time of year again when there is a chance for you to start grabbing your chestnuts. And if you have never tried a chestnut before, maybe 2013 could be the year?
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