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[ps2id id='ancla1' target=''/]Why are organic chestnuts better than regular ones?

Any type of fruit, vegetable, or nut will always be much better if it is organic essentially because it is more natural. Our bodies are not made to consume products that are highly processed in factories to prevent them from spoiling when they should. If a natural product like chestnuts or any fruit or vegetable is not consumed during its proper season, that is, the date it should naturally be harvested and consumed, it is because the cycles of that fruit have been artificially modified. Additionally, if you notice that the fruit lasts without spoiling for longer than normal, it is because it has been treated with chemicals that are not suitable for human consumption in large quantities. Can you imagine that for every product you consume, there is a small portion that is directly "poison" to your body if you consume it in a higher amount? Well, that's what happens today. That's why at Los Conventos, we always recommend consuming the most natural products because the most natural products are usually the healthiest.

Chestnuts and autumn, an inseparable pair.

There are many products that we can associate with autumn, but few evoke as much nostalgia as chestnuts. They are almost an icon of this bucolic season when forests are colored and the ground is covered with leaves, mushrooms, and these unmistakable fruits that have had such importance for centuries in the economy and culture of many regions in our country.

This is how chestnuts are cooked.

The aroma of roasted chestnuts has something magical and comforting, but they can be used much more in cooking. When cooking them, it is preferable to choose chestnuts of a similar size so that they all cook evenly. The rounder ones will be easier to peel, while the very flat ones will make it more difficult. To roast chestnuts at home, it is ideal to use a typical "chestnut" pan with holes, which can be used over firewood, embers, or, if adapted, the stove. They can also be roasted in the oven or microwave, but in all cases, a prior cut must be made to prevent them from exploding and to facilitate peeling afterwards.

The cut can be a cross or a simple line that goes through the outer shell and the inner skin, using a sharp or serrated knife. In the oven, they will be ready in about 20 minutes, preheated to 200ºC, depending on the size and power of the appliance. To cook them in the microwave, you have to find the right timing depending on the device, but usually, 2 and a half minutes at 800W is enough. Keep an eye on them because they can explode or generate a lot of steam if the power is excessive.

For cooking with them and other preparations, another option is to boil them in boiling water for about 10-20 minutes, depending on the size and desired texture. Always remember the prior cut and control the interior texture. Once semi-cooked and peeled, they can be finished cooking in milk, syrup, or sugar, or used for savory dishes such as meat fillings and garnishes, rice dishes, vegetable creams, bean stews, soups, or stir-fries.

In the culinary world, they can be incorporated already cooked or roasted, just like any other nut, whole or chopped, into cake batters, cookies, muffins, or pies. They can be ground into flour or used to make sweet creams, for example, with chocolate, or spoon desserts like custards, panna cotta, or pudding. Chestnut cream is a delicious preserve, as well as chestnuts in syrup.

If we still want chestnuts out of season, we can find them cooked in natural preserves, frozen, dried, or in various sweet preparations, including jams and different desserts, in the market. In addition, chestnut flour is a delightful ingredient full of aromas to experiment with in our bakery and pastry recipes, especially when combined with chocolate and nuts.