Champion chestnuts!

The 'old chestnut' is new again, writes KIRA SPUCYS-TAHAR

Chestnmsreallyare a superfood - super versatile and super healthy \-X1ith a delicate,unique Aavour, chestnuts canbeusedin avarietyof savoury and sweet dishes. Available frommid-March through toJuly,they containhigh levelsof,Titmnins CandE, fibreand folace,and,unlil<e many othernut varieties, are lowin fatandoiJ content

Chestnutsareactuallymorelike a fruit thana nut Grownontrees,thenutsare sheathedin aspikeyhuskwith around three nutsin eachburr.Whenripe, thefruitfalls to thegroundand thehusk splitsopen to reveal thesmooth-shelledmus.

Chestnuts arequitedistinct fromother nutsio chattheirnaturalgoodnessis obtainedth.rough cooking Theyshou.ldnor beeaten raw,owingto their high tannicacid contentwhich cancausedigestiveissues.

Chestnutshave two skins. Oneisthe hard,omer, shinybrown shell.andthe other isthe thin inner skin lmownas thepellicle.

Topreparechestnurs,you canbake, microwave,roastorboilthenut before incorporatinginto your recipe.Themost important stepisto cut into the shell co prevent thenut fromoverbearingand e1,.1Jlodingwhilecooking You canmakea shallowcutioto the flar sideof theshell acrossthe faceof thenut,ot cut a cross into the flat-end. Peel chestnutswhilethey arestillwarmasthey canbetrickyto peel whencooled.You can choose toremove both the iru1erand outer shell,or keepthe pellicleintact.

"Historically the chestnut is popularfor roastingand oncetheouter shell isroasted, thepellicle comesawayprettyeasily,"says ChestnutsAusi;raliamemberandgrower Jane Casey "However,in theearly season varieties,thisis notthe case,yetpeopletry todiscard the pellicle.With whatweknow now,thepellicle'shealthbenefitsareso siguificamchatweareeatingit too."

"Chestnutsgoreallywellwith chocolate, orange, mushroom, cabbage,pork and chicken,just tonameafew," saysJane Casey Havingbeengrownin Australiafor over 100years, chestnutsare,vellworth the patienceandtime needed for their preparation.

Formorevisitchestnutsaustralia.com.au

Preparing Chestnuts

: Toroast

: Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fanforced).

: Place prepared chestnuts onto a bakingtray and bakefor15to 20 minutes oruntil : the shellssplitopen.

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• : Togrillorbarbecue

: Place prepared chestnuts on atrayundera moderatetohotgrill, or place chestnuts : directly onto thebarbecuegrill, turning a coupleoftimes,forapproximately 15-20 : minutes oruntil theshellsblacken and splitopen.

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• : Toboil

: Place prepared chestnuts into a pan ofcold water and bringtothe boil. Simmerfor : 15 to 20 minutes oruntil theflesh is tender and easilyseparatesfrom theshell.

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• Tomicrowave

: Place 6 to 8 prepared chestnuts in a singlelayeron a microwave-safe plate. Cook, : uncovered, on full power (850 watts or High) for 2 to 3 minutes or until the fesh is • tender. Timing canvary depending on chestnutsize and microwave power.

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