HAZELNUTS | COMPLETE GUIDE TO HAZELNUTS | HEALTH BENEFITS AND NUTRITION OF HAZELNUTS | STARTUP COOKING
Hazelnuts are nuts of any tree from the genus Corylus, especially Corylus avellana. Hazelnuts grow within protective husks, in clusters on hazelnut trees. When they ripen, the hazelnut drop from the husks onto the ground, where they can be harvested. Both in-shell hazelnuts and shelled hazelnuts are available at grocery stores.
Hazelnuts can be found especially in countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The hazelnut nowadays grows in Turkey, Spain, Italy and the United States, but is originally from Turkey.
Nuts are a popular snack and ingredient around the world - not only for there taste but for the various health benefits they can provide when eaten in moderation. One put, perhaps most well - known for being the key ingredient in a certain popular chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella), is a large, red-brown nut called a hazelnut. (referred from masterclass.com)
How to Store ?
The best place to store shelled hazelnuts is in the freezer at 27 degree F or less. They will last up to two years if store in plastic bags or containers. The next best place to store shelled hazelnuts is in the refrigerator at 32-35 degree F. They last up to one year if packages in airtight plastic bags or containers so they do not pick up odors. Before using, let nuts warm to room temperature in unopened bag.
How to Prepare ?
Hazelnuts are delicious eaten right out of the shell, but their best flavor is excellent when they are toasted/roasted. The flavor then turns smoky and robust and the texture is crisp and crunchy.
To Toast: Preheat oven to 350 degree F . In a baking pan toast hazelnuts in one layer in middle of oven 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly colored and skins are blistered. Wrap nuts in a kitchen towel and let steam 1 minute. Rub nuts in towel to remove loose skins and cool completely.
Hazelnuts Contain:
- Vitamin E
- Healthful fat
- Protein
- Dietary Fiber source-medicalnews
Benefits of Hazelnuts
Eating more hazelnuts may improve a person’s health in a variety of ways. Unless a person has an allergy, there are few risks to adding hazelnuts to the diet. They are versatile and make an easy snack.
- Supporting healthy bowel movements
- Reducing weight gain
- Filled with Antioxidants
- Boost the Brain
- Help prevent Cancer
- Contribute to healthy skin and hair
- Protecting against cell damage
- Lowering cholesterol
- Improving insulin sensitivity
- Supporting heart health
- Reducing inflammation
- Improving sperm count (referred from Draxe.com)
Risks
Many people have nut allergies, including allergies to hazelnuts. When cooking for other, always check before adding the nuts to a dish. To enjoy the health benefits of hazelnuts, a person should be mindful of the overall number of calories that they consume each day. When adding anything to diet, it can be easy to consume more calories than necessary, and this can lead to weight gain.
What are the Different ways to Eat or Cook with Hazelnuts ?
Hazelnuts are a sweet and mild nut, and while they're most popularly used in desserts, they are also versatile in the Kitchen.
- In desserts - hazelnuts are often chopped and used in desserts like pastries, pies, truffles, biscotti, cookies, tarts and macaroons.
- In entrees - try hazelnuts in savory meals, Italian food like pasta, ravioli and pesto.
- As flavoring - hazelnut flavoring is one of the most popular flavors for coffee creamers, and it is also used to make hazelnut liquor, which can be mixed into cocktails.
- Pressed - hazelnuts can be pressed to produce hazelnut oil, which is used as a cooking oil in place of canola or olive oil.
- Ground - hazelnuts can be ground up into hazelnut flour, which is used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour.
- Nut butter - the second most common form of hazelnuts in the United States, hazelnut spread, hazelnut paste, and hazelnut butter are popular to use in desserts or as alternatives to peanut butter.
- Raw - not as common, hazelnuts are a great snack food either raw or dry roasted.
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