How to make chestnuts at home

Chestnuts for many are a symbol of autumn. In antiquity, they ate a lot and with pleasure. Much more than now. After all, these amazing fruits of trees were abundant, distinguished by their nutritional value and huge benefits. I'll try to revive the ancient traditions and show how to cook chestnuts at home in various ways: in the oven, using a microwave, how to fry and cook them.

Preparation for cooking and technology

If you buy chestnuts in a store, do not forget to check them carefully. If the peel is wrinkled, then they are old. If there is a hole in the skin, it may be damaged by pests. The peel of a nut fresh and suitable for cooking or frying should be smooth and even.

Before preparing chestnuts, it is important to process and clean them, rinse thoroughly under running water to remove residual soil and dust.

To remove the peel, you can use two simple and reliable methods:

1. Soak for several hours in a bowl filled to the brim with cold water.
2. Leave it wrapped in a wet kitchen towel for several hours.

To remove the nut from the shell, gently make a small incision (about two centimeters) along the semicircular crust.

If you want to clean faster, use the following method:

1. Perform an incision on each.
2. Put in a container and place in a preheated oven to 200 ° C. Bake for 15 minutes.
3. Take out when you notice that the shell has begun to stretch.
4. Remove the peel.

Classic recipe in the oven

• Preheat the oven to 210 degrees.
• Trim chestnuts across.
• Transfer to a skillet or cast-iron bowl.
• Leave to bake for fifteen to twenty minutes.
• Stir periodically and turn over.
• Allow to cool, sprinkle with seasoning, salt or sugar.

How to cook chestnuts in the microwave

Baking chestnuts in the microwave is quick and easy, it will take no more than ten minutes.

• chestnuts - 20 pcs.;
• seasoning - 1 tbsp. l .;
• salt and sugar - 1 tsp each.

1. After cleaning, put the nuts in a container suitable for use in the microwave. It is advisable to lay the cut up and at a sufficient distance so that they do not touch each other.
2. The baking time is about four minutes at 750 watts.
3. Wait 3-5 minutes until cool.
4. Cleanse and start eating, enjoying a unique taste.

How to roast chestnuts on the grill

To fry chestnuts on the grill, you will have to first cut them. If there is no special bowl with holes, you can use ordinary cast-iron cookware.

The fruits are laid out with cuts down and placed on the barbecue. Fry for 7-10 minutes, periodically turning over and shaking. After cooling, clean and serve.

Pan recipe

Dexterity and patience are required for frying in a pan. If there is no special utensils, you can use an ordinary pan.

1. First, the chestnuts are incised.
2. Heat a clean frying pan over a fire, do not add oil.
3. Fry from all sides for about 20-30 minutes.
4. Wait until they cool. After being peeled, sprinkled with sugar or salt, served to the table.

How to cook chestnuts

This method of preparation is very popular, as it does not require a large investment of time, it will take only 30 minutes. Small and medium sizes boil much faster.

1. Chestnuts are washed from dirt, put in a large pot or bowl.
2. Fill it with water (unsalted) and cook until fully cooked.
3. Readiness is checked by sticking a fork into the shell - the finished nut is easily pierced.

What can be cooked from chestnuts

I offer two delicious recipes from chestnuts.

Vegetarian cutlets with spinach salad

• 50 grams of balsamic vinegar;
• 300 grams of chestnuts;
• four tablespoons of olive oil;
• 300 grams of parmesan;
• spinach;
• parsley;
• salt.

1. Mix in a mixer 300 grams of boiled chestnuts with four tablespoons of grated Parmesan and parsley. Add salt.
2. Form cutlets or meatballs. Place on a baking sheet with baking paper.
3. Bake in an oven heated to 200 ° C for ten to fifteen minutes, periodically turning over.
4. Serve the patties with spinach salad. Season salad with parsley with olive oil and salt.

Autumn Salad

• lettuce;
• 25 roasted chestnuts;
• 5 dried apricots (dried apricots);
• fennel;
• one apple;
• 50 grams of almond;
• a bunch of dill and green onions;
• olive oil;
• lemon juice;
• salt and pepper;
• clove of garlic;
• two sliced ​​white bread.

1. Dice dried apricots, thin slices of fennel and apple. Cut the chestnuts and almonds. Chop greens finely. Put all chopped ingredients in a bowl.
2. Dice the white bread, fry it in a pan, adding a little olive oil and a clove of garlic. When the cubes become golden and crispy, remove from heat.
3. Season the salad with olive oil, adding lemon juice, salt, pepper. Pour diced bread onto top. Bon Appetit!

Useful Tips

To keep chestnuts as long as possible, use the following 3 tips.

1. Store in a freezer. To do this, rinse and cut them first. Using this method, the shelf life of the product is increased to 12 months.
2. Freeze after cooking. To do this, it is enough to remove the peel from them and transfer them into bags. Shelf life will be about six months.
3. Store in water. This method is used by those who collected them on their own, without buying in a store. The so-called "drowning" method. To do this, they are put in water for 4 days, changing the liquid every 24 hours. After being filtered and stored for three months in a cool, dry place.

Calorie content

Chestnuts are good for the body, rich in mineral salts and fiber, have anti-inflammatory effects, practically do not contain cholesterol, but contain a lot of phosphorus, which is necessary for the nervous system. They are recommended for iron deficiency and anemia. The benefits are noted not only for the hematopoietic system, but also for the intestines.

Calorie content is not very high - 165 kcal per 100 grams. Nutritionists recommend those who do not want to gain excess weight to prepare a portion of 100 g. This is about eight pieces.

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Chestnuts are worth a try even to the most demanding and capricious gourmets, who are usually distrustful of new dishes. I am sure you will be able to cook many healthy dishes from them yourself.