Often described as the “grain grown from trees,” fresh chestnuts are a hearty fall ingredient that shares similar health benefits to brown rice. They’re an excellent source of minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin C, and can act as a tasty key ingredient for gluten-free dishes. Compared to other nuts, chestnuts also have less fat and only have 55 calories per serving, as opposed to the 160-200 calories in other nuts.
More on the Health Benefits of our Italian Chestnuts
Not all chestnuts are the same, though. During the chestnuts import season (Oct-Jan) there are also Chinese & Korean chestnuts in the market. These are consistently cheaper in price but tend to be smaller in size, starchier, and harder to peel compared to the European one. Castanea Sativa, the specific chestnut variety harvested in Europe, is beloved by both locals and people across the globe for its larger size, slightly sweet flavor, and easiness to peel.
Our Italian-grown chestnuts, shipped straight from the province of Avellino in southern Italy, can be boiled, steamed, grilled, and, of course, roasted. Watch our in-house chef Sara Federici’s beginner’s guide to roasting the perfect chestnuts as she prepares her signature brown butter tagliatelle.
You can find more Italian-inspired recipes, including chestnut hummus and chestnut stuffing, below.
Buon appetito!
