Chestnuts are native to the Balkan Peninsula, and now their luxurious green crowns are known on different continents. Ripe edible fruits provide maximum health benefits. How to distinguish the types of edible chestnuts from inedible nuts - later in the article.

What chestnuts eat

Chestnut trees grow in different latitudes, so each species is different. Nutritionists and culinary specialists distinguish three species with edible fruits among three dozen chestnut trees and bushes:

• european sowing;
• crenate;
• chinese (it has the softest fruits).

Fruits of other chestnut varieties are unsafe to eat. In comparison with the equine species, edible fruits are inferior in kernel size, resemble walnuts in volume, also in edible species there are usually several fruits in a nut, their peel is brown (in contrast to the green horse shell).
Trees also differ in the shape of the crown and leaves, as well as in the shape of the inflorescences. The only thing the edible and inedible varieties have in common is the smooth shiny dark brown fruit.

What are edible chestnuts rich in?

Edible chestnut kernels prepared for a meal taste like baked potatoes. Compared to other types of nuts, the composition of chestnut fruits is distinguished by its energy value and at the same time low in fat.

Did you know? The inhabitants of Corsica on Easter bless in the church not the usual Easter cakes and not even eggs, but chestnuts.

Composition

Chestnut kernels contain a large amount of starch (2.5-3%), glucose and vitamins (, and).
The concentration of minerals is up to 3%. The presented product contains optimal content, and. The composition of substances in the kernels directly depends on the type of chestnut trees and the climatic conditions at the planting site.

Calorie content and nutritional value

Ready meals are especially revered by vegetarians . 100 g of fresh chestnut tree nuts contain - 166 kcal, roasted - 182 kcal. Steamed food from chestnuts is considered the least high-calorie - three times less calories than raw food. Fruits are not rich in fats, but carbohydrates predominate in them (more than 60%).

Not only edible - about the benefits

Healing decoctions are prepared from chestnut leaves to treat internal bleeding and eliminate respiratory problems. They will contain useful substances such as glycosides, tannins,.

The fleshy buds of the edible varieties are rich in starch, sucrose and protein. The cotyledons also contain organic acids, vitamins and enzymes. Young chestnuts are a real storehouse of vitamin C (up to 1500 mg per 100 g of product). Immature kernels cure varicose veins, acute and chronic thrombophlebitis.

In bark, wood, buds and leaves, tannins account for about 10-16%. These ingredients can be used to form an effective astringent burn ointment. Decoctions from them will help cleanse the skin of boils.

Can chestnuts

The fair sex during pregnancy and lactation should take special care of their diet so as not to harm the child. The correct preparation of chestnut meals and the distribution of portions will help saturate the body with nutrients to strengthen the immune system.

Did you know? Chestnuts Day is celebrated every third Tuesday in October in France, and on Christmas Day they are served in a sugared form called marron glace ("ice chestnut").

Pregnant

Women who are carrying a child are faced with hormonal changes in the body. This often becomes the cause of stress and depression. Eating chestnuts in your daily diet can help improve your mood. The product also lowers high blood pressure, improves blood circulation and saturates the body of the expectant mother with substances that serve as an "antidote" to fatigue.

Other benefits of pregnant women eating chestnuts:

• strengthening of bones and teeth with well-absorbed phosphorus of natural origin;
• elimination of insomnia due to the presence of tryptophan;
• improving the eyes with vitamin B2;
• aid in digestion thanks to fiber.

The only negative is that the abuse of chestnut dishes is fraught with obesity with a tendency to be overweight.

When breastfeeding

Often women use chestnut-based supplements for weight loss. The use of chestnut for medicinal purposes is not recommended for nursing mothers. During lactation, the product can cause certain risks to the health of the baby, because the baby's immunity is not yet sufficiently formed, therefore the small body is completely dependent on the mother's body, her diet and lifestyle.

Chestnut-based dishes and preparations contain caffeine, theobromine and theophylline, which can provide an excessive burst of energy even at night. It is advisable for a young mother to sleep well and rest regularly during breastfeeding. Excessive excitability can also be transmitted to the baby through breast milk.

Healing properties of edible chestnut

Medical research has proven the benefits of chestnut for the body. Alcohol extract from the edible fruits of the plant is an effective anti-inflammatory and decongestant agent.
The use of the tincture strengthens the capillary walls, lowers blood pressure, normalizes the level of cholesterol and lecithin in the blood, and protects against the formation of fatty plaques in the aortic area. The extract constricts blood vessels and has a pronounced analgesic effect.

Chestnut leaf cough decoction recipe. 2 tsp leaves of a seed variety are poured with 240 ml of water. The future medicinal drug is brought to a boil and then boiled on the stove for 5 minutes. After removing the dishes from the fire, filter the contents. The broth will cure a severe cough or whooping cough when taken systematically by the throat throughout the day.

Fortifying tincture.For the medicine you need 2 tbsp. l. crushed fruits and 500 ml of vodka. Chestnuts are poured into an ordinary glass jar and poured over with vodka. The mixture for internal use is insisted for three weeks. Method of application: 1 tsp. tincture, diluted with water (1 to 2), half an hour before meals.

Briefly about application in cosmetics

The healing properties of chestnut extract made it possible to use it in cosmetology. Cosmetic creams for the care of normal and oily skin, anti-cellulite masks, shampoos and bath foams are very popular. Chestnut-based foot creams actively fight excessive swelling, treat sprains and sprains, and therefore are popular among athletes.

Chestnut sunscreen cosmetics are resistant to the negative effects of UV rays. Extracts in the form of oils are used in the care of faded skin. Many women notice a noticeable lifting effect after rubbing with a decoction of the fruit

Edible chestnuts in cooking

Raw chestnuts are fried and baked. From them, culinary specialists get excellent additives in flour for baking and confectionery products. Nuts are delicious, especially roasted or candied nuts. Sometimes chestnuts are even used to make some kind of coffee drinks.

How to roast chestnuts

To prepare a fried delicacy, you will need a frying pan with a lid, a kitchen board, a knife, a spatula, or a large spoon. No sunflower oil is required for frying.

Chestnuts are not salted or water is added. The step-by-step cooking algorithm is as follows:

1. The fruits are pre-washed under running water.
2. Each nut is cut with a sharp knife on the convex side in the middle to avoid burning.
3. The pan is placed on the largest burner of the gas stove (a large heating area of \u200b\u200bthe frying zone is required).
4. Lay the chestnuts flat on the bottom of the pan. Fry for five minutes under the lid.
5. Then the half-open fruits in the incision area are turned over to the other side and the heat is gradually reduced (fry on a small burner for 10 minutes.)

Important! Chestnuts burn quickly during the heat treatment process. For this reason, old pans are chosen for frying the product. The brown skin of the fruit covers the frying surface with brown spots that cannot be cleaned even with aggressive dishwashing detergents.

The total cooking time is about half an hour. To clean the fried shells of ready-made fruits, it is advisable to wait until they cool down after frying. Real gourmets consider such a simple and at the same time unusual dish to be an ideal hot snack for wine.

Light Chestnut Cream Soup is a marvelous idea for an unusual culinary treat for a homemade meal. The main ingredient can be purchased at specialty grocery stores.

Ingredients for the first course:

• vegetable broth (0.5 l);
• leek (1 pc.);
• peeled chestnuts (150 g);
• butter (50 g);
• sour cream (33%) (100 g).

Cut the leeks into half rings and fry for three minutes in butter. Then the ready-made vegetable broth is added and the peeled chestnuts are added. The contents of the stewpan are boiled for about half an hour. Grind the finished mixture with a blender, add sour cream and bring the mass to a boil.

Possible harm and contraindications

In addition to the benefits, the fruits of the plant can also harm human health. Some people note an individual intolerance to this dietary product - after taking meals, nausea and vomiting appear.

Therefore, before using chestnuts in your daily diet, you should consult with a dietitian or personal therapist who knows the characteristics of your body. The product is dangerous for people with heart and kidney problems, for diabetics.

Important! It is undesirable to be treated with chestnut on your own - it very much thinns the blood.

If chestnut kernels do not cause side effects, you should still not overuse the amount eaten. Often, due to overeating chestnuts, the intestines suffer from excessive gas formation, constipation or loose stools. The product is not combined with oak bark in cosmetic procedures - this is fraught with wilting of even the most oily skin type.

If there are contraindications for chestnuts, they can be replaced with cashews or pine nuts. They differ in taste, but they are united by the richness of useful vitamins and minerals.

The nut seeds of apples have a delicate and slightly oily flavor. These curved nuts are expensive due to manual shelling. There is a burning oil between the top shell and the kernel of the nut, which causes skin burns.

Experienced people extract this poison by special heat treatment. The product is ideal for people on a diet - the fat content of cashews is much lower than that of walnuts, almonds and peanuts.
The delicacy is a real storehouse of vitamins and minerals. Regular consumption of nuts in small quantities saturates the body with beneficial ones, important for hair growth and strengthening nails.

- Suppliers of high quality protein of natural origin, completely absorbed by the body. The rough fibrous structure of the fetus improves the digestive tract, gently cleanses the intestinal walls from perennial toxins and toxins. In folk medicine, in addition to nuts, they use cedar oil cake, squeezed oil and peeled fruit shells.

Chefs most often use pine nuts for desserts. The kernels pair well with fish or meat due to their creamy nutty flavor.
Edible chestnuts have appeared on our market relatively recently, but many gourmets have already fallen in love with this delicious product. In addition, they do not require strong heat treatment or complex manipulations - it is enough to fry the fruits in a pan or bake in the oven. The main thing is not to use inedible fruits for culinary purposes.

Horse chestnut is prized in traditional and folk medicine for its beneficial properties. This tree is widespread, grows in forests, park areas, in private plots. It can reach 30 meters in height, bears fruit up to 30-40 years. In the preparation of various preparations, tinctures and other recipes, not only fruits are valued, but also other plant components - flowers, leaves, bark.

Chemical composition

Useful properties of fruits horse chestnut are represented by its chemical composition:

• saponins increase the tone of the veins, improve blood circulation, eliminate swelling and activate adrenal hormones;
• glycoside reduces the risk of thrombosis, dilates blood vessels, stabilizes the central nervous system, dilutes and removes phlegm from the respiratory tract;
• tannins have an astringent and protective effect;
• vitamin C strengthens the immune system, has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• vitamin K reduces bleeding, strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
• coumarin has a healing effect, increases blood clotting, prevents the development of tumor cells;
• pectin removes toxins and salts from the body, improves intestinal microflora, prevents the development of atherosclerotic plaques, promotes regeneration;
• carotene protects the body from the effects of carcinogens, improves the state of the cardiovascular system;
• organic acids remove toxins and toxins from the body, prevent fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines;
• fatty oils promote tissue regeneration, eliminate inflammation, regulate metabolism;
• flavonoids reduce blood pressure and heart rate, strengthen capillaries, increase bile formation;
• starch is converted into glucose and provides the body with energy.

In addition to fruits, similar beneficial properties have flowers plants. Horse chestnut bark rich in tannins, escin saponin, as well as glycoside (esculin). have:

• flavonoids - isoquercitrin, quercetin;
• tannins;
• rutin;
• spireoside;
• astragalin;
• carotenoids.

Of trace elements the leaves, flowers and fruits of the horse chestnut contain selenium, boron, calcium, chromium, barium, iodine, iron, zinc, nickel.

How is horse chestnut useful?

The chemical composition of fruits and other components of horse chestnut in pharmacology is valued for the following effects:

• anti-inflammatory action;
• antimicrobial;
• bactericidal;
• venotonic;
• wound healing;
• regenerating;
• pain reliever;
• astringent;
• diuretic;
• antioxidant;
• decongestant;
• antipyretic;
• antineoplastic;
• anti-sclerotic.

The pharmacological properties of horse chestnut make its use in demand in traditional and folk medicine. The components of the plant can act as both the main and the complementary ingredient in the prevention and treatment of various diseases.

What diseases is it used for?

Due to the pharmacological properties of horse chestnut, its components are used in solving the following body problems:

• viscosity and increased blood coagulability, thrombus formation;
• increased permeability of the vessel walls;
• violations of blood flow, including pathology of venous vessels;
• disturbed work of capillaries;
• decreased performance of the kidneys and liver;
• inflammation and edema;
• disturbances in digestion, production of gastric juice and gallbladder secretion;
• accumulation of salts, toxins, radionuclides in the body;

Preparations and recipes based on the fruits and other components of horse chestnut are used in the prevention and treatment of the following diseases:

• hypertension, atherosclerosis, other diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• increased blood clotting, venous congestion, thrombophlebitis, thromboembolism;
• spasms, trophic ulcers and mechanical damage to blood vessels, endarteritis, anemia;
• hemorrhoids, bleeding of various origins, including uterine;
• pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, whooping cough, pneumonia, shortness of breath, respiratory diseases;
• pathology of the genitourinary system, gallbladder, spleen;
• increased acidity and stomach ulcers, gastritis;
• rheumatoid arthritis, radiculitis, joint pain, gout;
• neuralgia, diarrhea, leukemia, malaria, menopause, muscle inflammation, prostate adenoma, prostatitis.

Horse chestnut components are used mainly in the treatment of leg diseases, especially varicose veins. Often, these ingredients are used in various forms for hemorrhoids and other similar pathologies. However, the range of application of horse chestnut is much wider, which makes it a popular product in traditional and folk medicine.

Medication

Among the preparations of traditional medicine based on horse chestnut, there are:

• "Eskuzan" - a group of angioprotectors, represented by tablets, pills, drops, ointments and gels, is used to strengthen the walls of blood vessels in case of venous insufficiency, improves blood flow;
• cream based on horse chestnut or its extract - a large group of agents designed to treat varicose veins, reduces leg fatigue, swelling and pain;
• horse chestnut ointments are used to strengthen blood vessels with varicose veins, reduce swelling and inflammation, reduce fatigue and muscle cramps;
• the gel is used for the prevention and treatment of venous diseases of the legs, promotes recovery processes;
• gel-balm based on horse chestnut and leech extract - the agent is also used for venous insufficiency, has anti-edema and anti-inflammatory effects, improves blood circulation.

In addition to traditional medicines, components of horse chestnut are also used in folk recipes.

Application in traditional medicine

In folk medicine, horse chestnut is used mainly in the form of tinctures and decoctions. For their preparation, any components of the plant are used - fruits, their peel, flowers, tree bark, leaves.

Every ingredient is harvested at the certain timewhen the concentration of nutrients in it reaches the highest value:

• horse chestnut bark is harvested in spring from trees that are three years old, dried and stored in a ventilated room for no longer than a year;
• the flowers of the tree are harvested during the flowering period in May-June, after collecting the inflorescences they are laid out in the sun, then dried in the shade;
• leaves are harvested from May to September, they are also stored for no longer than a year;
• the fruits of the horse chestnut ripen in August-September, the kernels are separated from the peel to dry, the latter can also be used in tinctures and other recipes.

The resulting raw material can be further used for the preparation of prophylactic and therapeutic agents of traditional medicine. During the collection process, attention is paid to the appearance and quality of the ingredients - they should not be affected by pests or diseases.

Flower juice

In the treatment of varicose veins of the legs, juice from horse chestnut flowers is often used. For cooking, you will need fresh inflorescences, use a blender to grind them, and then squeeze the juice.

The tool is taken in 25-30 drops, diluted in 1 tbsp. l. water. The course of treatment is twice a day for 3-4 weeks. Internal use also helps with inflammation of the hemorrhoids. Topical application relieves joint pain and gout.

Fresh juice from horse chestnut flowers is effective in treating varicose veins, regular use relieves symptoms in a month.

Ointment

To prepare the ointment, take 5 horse chestnut fruits or 5 tbsp. l. dried flowers. Raw materials are poured with half a liter of vegetable oil and boiled for an hour in a water bath. After cooling, the product is filtered.

The tool is used for application to areas with inflamed vessels, used 2-3 times a day.

To prepare a special ointment for varicose veins, a similar recipe is used. 5 tbsp. l. dried horse chestnut flowers are mixed with 2 tbsp. l. sage, 4 tbsp. l. chamomile and 1 tbsp. l. potato starch.

200 g of chicken fat are added to the resulting mass, the mixture is heated for three hours in a water bath. After that, the mixture is infused for 12 hours, then boiled again. In the future, the ointment is filtered and used to be applied to problem areas.

Butter

As anti-cellulite remedy many use horse chestnut oil. To prepare it:

• 100 g of chopped horse chestnut and basil are poured into a glass of olive oil;
• the agent is insisted for 10 days;
• the resulting mixture is filtered, a few drops of grapefruit oil are added.

The tool can be used for manual and hardware anti-cellulite massage. It also helps with edema and varicose veins. If necessary, oil extraction can be made on the basis of other vegetable oils. The finished product can also be purchased at the pharmacy.

Alcohol tincture of flowers

To prepare an alcoholic tincture from horse chestnut flowers, you will need 10 grams of crushed raw materials. They are poured with 100 ml of vodka and insisted for a week in a dark place, shaking occasionally.

The resulting tincture is taken 15-30 drops three times a day. The drug is used as a medicine for hemorrhoids, thrombosis, varicose veins, prostatitis. When applied externally, the tincture helps against sciatica, gout, rheumatic and arthritic pain.

For treatment joints and myositis they also use an alcoholic tincture based on horse chestnut flowers. Preparation - 40 g of dried inflorescences are poured with a liter of medical alcohol. Kept sealed for a week, then filtered. The tincture is used to rub joints and muscles for pain.

Alcohol tincture of fruits

Horse chestnut tincture can be prepared according to the same recipe and proportions as the remedy using flowers. Another recipe suggests cutting the fruit into quarters and filling a glass container with them.

To obtain the tincture, the container is poured to the brim with vodka and tightly corked. Insist in a dark place for three weeks. The tincture is used for compresses with arthrosis, arthritis and rheumatism.

Another Alcohol Tincture Recipe May Help For Treatment prostatitis... To prepare the medicine, the fruits and flowers of the horse chestnut are mixed in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is poured with vodka in a ratio of 1:10.

The tincture is corked in a glass jar, placed in a dark place for a month. Take 15 drops 4 times a day, the duration of the course is determined individually. From gout alcohol tincture helps according to the following recipe:

• 50 g of crushed horse chestnut flowers are poured into 800 ml of alcohol;
• the solution is placed in a dark place, insisted for 10 days;
• filtered, moistened with gauze and used as a compress, applied to the affected area.

Decoction of flowers

To prepare a decoction of horse chestnut flowers, mix 5 g of inflorescences and bark. Raw materials are poured into an enamel bowl with 200 ml of boiled water, then boiled over low heat for half an hour. Pass through a triple layer of gauze.

The resulting broth in the first two days is taken 1 tbsp. l. once a day, then gradually increase consumption to 2-3 tbsp. l. The course of treatment depends on the disease - with varicose veins, the broth is taken up to 8 weeks, with hemorrhoids - up to a month.

The broth can be used to relieve uterine bleeding, douching with leucorrhoea and to relieve inflammation of the prostate.

When radiation sickness use a different recipe: 20 g of crushed flowers are poured into 300 ml of water and brought to a boil. After that, the broth is infused for 10 hours, filtered. It is necessary to take 100 ml three times a day.

Infusion of flowers

Making an infusion of horse chestnut flowers helps with pathologies of blood and brain tumors... The recipe is simple - 1 tbsp. l. dried inflorescences are poured with a glass of water and heated almost to a boil.

The product is left to brew for 6 hours, then it is filtered and left in the refrigerator for storage. Take a quarter glass several times a day, but not more than a liter. The course of treatment is three weeks, after which a two-week break is taken.

Fruit decoction

Based on horse chestnut fruit do not cook broths... Kernels are used primarily in tinctures and infusions. For the broth, the peel of ripe fruits is often used.

To prepare 15 grams of raw materials, pour a glass of water, boil for 15 minutes and insist for an hour and a half. The resulting broth is used when climax for morning and evening washing. The tool allows you to relieve itching and dryness.

Extract

Horse chestnut extract is rich in saponins, especially escin. The remedy is used to eliminate venous congestion and inflammation... It also helps to strengthen the capillaries and protect them from damage.

Horse chestnut extract is also used to treat pathologies of the cardiovascular system... Helps to normalize blood pressure, is used in the treatment of hypertension and atherosclerosis, as well as in the treatment of thrombophlebitis.

At home, chestnut extract is not prepared; it is bought ready-made for use in a pharmacy.

Application of leaves

Horse chestnut leaves are used:

• in the preparation of medications for the normalization of water and salt balance, as well as for the treatment of rheumatism and gout;
• for the preparation of decoctions and infusions - the leaves help with colds, improve the condition of the respiratory tract, are used in the treatment of bronchitis and bronchial asthma, tracheitis, pneumonia and tuberculosis;
• as a prophylactic agent - the leaves soothe the nervous system, normalize sleep, relieve stress and nervous tension.

Traditional medicine does not offer a clear recipe for making decoctions or infusions from horse chestnut leaves. The tool is used as needed at the rate of 1-2 tbsp. l. in a glass of water.

To prepare the broth, the mixture is soared in a water bath, for infusion, it is poured with boiling water and insisted from one to several hours. In the preparation of the tincture, the period increases to several days, the raw material is poured with vodka and kept in a dark place.

Bark water infusion

To prepare an aqueous infusion, take the dried horse chestnut bark. 1 tsp crushed raw materials are poured with two glasses of boiled cooled water, insisted for 8 hours. The filtered agent is taken in 2 tbsp. l. 4 times a day.

Aqueous infusion of horse chestnut bark helps with diseases of the gallbladder, kidneys, intestines, as well as inflammation of the respiratory tract.

Contraindications for use

Horse chestnut has certain contraindications for use. Plant components not used in the following cases:

• low blood clotting;
• severe pathologies of the kidneys and liver;
• hypotension;
• pregnancy;
• irregular menstruation;
• individual intolerance.

Among side effects allocate:

• an allergic reaction;
• nausea, heartburn;
• constipation, flatulence.

When applied topically, irritation may occur. In this case, the use of horse chestnut and preparations based on it is discontinued. During lactation, the use of horse chestnut should be consulted with a doctor.

You should also carefully apply chestnut-based medicines for stomach ulcers and significant cardiac pathologies.

In addition to the above, there are contraindications to the use of alcohol tincture based on flowers and fruits of horse chestnut:

• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• age under 16;
• atonic constipation;
• hypoacidly acute gastritis.

In the matter of a long course of treatment with horse chestnut tincture, consultation with a specialist is necessary. It is also recommended to check the level of prothrombin in the blood during the period of use of this drug.

Luxurious, green chestnuts are familiar to everyone. In May, they bloom with lush white candles, and after a month they are covered with small hedgehogs, inside of which brown fruits ripen by autumn. Since there are several types of such trees, chestnuts are edible and inedible how to distinguish, everyone needs to know in order to get the most out of ripe fruits.

Edible chestnut

The first differences between edible inedible chestnuts begin with the appearance of the tree. A deciduous tree can grow up to 35 meters, in the warm season the leaves are green, and in autumn they are bright yellow. During the period of active flowering, the tree is covered with inflorescences that resemble long earrings. In the upper part of the inflorescences there are male branches, in the lower - female ones. The fruits of the tree ripen in brown buns, inside they are protected by a natural covering, reminiscent of felt. In one plush, from 1 to 4 nuts can ripen at the same time, they have a flattened shape, the surface is brown, smooth and shiny.

Differences between edible and inedible chestnut varieties

How to distinguish horse chestnut from edible:

1. Horse chestnut differs in shape and size of leaves.
2. Inflorescences.
3. Ripe fruit taste. The horse chestnut tastes bitter, the seed variety is slightly sweet.
4. The horse chestnut has only one fruit inside the cupula, less often two nuts are found.
5. The horse chestnut bush is bright green, with small tubercles on it. The sowing variety is distinguished by the presence of long thorns and a brownish color.

Two different varieties have only one thing in common - their fruits are similar, they are dark brown and have a smooth surface with a small light spot.

How to identify edible chestnuts

Before you start eating the fruit of the tree, you need to find out which chestnuts you can eat. There are only a few varieties of the tree, the fruits of which are used for food, these are:

1. European sowing chestnut.
2. Crenated.
3. Chinese (softest).

All species have their own differences, and they grow in different latitudes. The tree that grows in the territory of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Krasnodar Territory also has edible fruits, but they are much smaller in size, they are compared to walnuts. All other fruits are prohibited to use.

At the time of ripening, many useful substances are concentrated in edible fruits. As soon as the nut evenly turns dark brown, you need to start harvesting, harvesting for the winter.

The desired chestnut fruit should be chosen correctly, focusing on:

1. Size, shape. All nuts should be even, the same.
2. Hardness. Good quality fruits are heavy and firm.
3. The surface of the chestnuts should be glossy and free from defects.

Properly cooked chestnuts taste like potatoes, they are energetically valuable, nutritious, and unique in their composition. The fat content is much lower than that of other nuts.

In 100 grams of roasted chestnut 182 kcal, in boiled fruits -131 kcal, in a fresh nut - 166 kcal, the least high-calorie fruit, steamed, has only 56 kcal. Edible chestnut dishes can be served as a side dish, as a snack, or even as a main treat. There are a large number of recipes, all of them are quite simple and affordable.

Regular consumption of edible fruits has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body, simultaneously saturating it with useful vitamins, fiber, and essential minerals.

Cooking methods for chestnuts

We offer to cook rice with chicken, chestnuts.

Composition

• chicken fillet - 3 pcs.;
• soy sauce - 0.5 cups;
• sesame oil - 2 tbsp l .;
• egg - 2 pcs.;
• carrots - 1 pc.;
• celery - 1 pc.;
• onions - 1 pc.;
• garlic - 3 cloves;
• champignons - 240 g;
• boiled rice - 6 glasses;
• canned chestnuts - 240 g;
• green peas - 0.5 cups;
• ground red pepper - 0.5 tsp;
• greens for decoration.

Preparation

1. In a small bowl, marinate the fillets in soy sauce.
2. Fry the fillets, put in a plate, cover with foil.
3. Fry the eggs, stirring constantly, to form crumbly scrambled eggs.
4. Grind all vegetables.
5. Fry carrots, celery, onions, garlic for 4 minutes.
6. Cook the mushrooms for about 5 minutes.
7. Cut the chicken into small pieces.
8. Cook rice.
9. Mix all ingredients.
10. Can be served by decorating the dish with herbs.

Alcohol infusion

Horse chestnut is an excellent preparation for the preparation of medicines. In folk medicine, there are many recipes to help get rid of various diseases.

Composition

• 2 tbsp. l. chopped chestnut fruit;
• 0.5 liters of vodka.

Preparation

1. Place the chestnuts in a glass jar.
2. Pour in vodka.
3. Insist 3 weeks.
4. Take 30 drops diluted with water 1: 2 30 minutes before meals.
5. For pain in the joints, make compresses from the tincture.

Contraindications

Do not forget that excessive consumption of this fruit can cause harm to the body. It is worthwhile to use them carefully for patients who have:

1. Thrombocytopenia.
2. Blood clotting disorder.
3. Menstrual irregularities.
4. Pregnancy.
5. Low blood pressure.
6. Atonic constipation.
7. Hypoid gastritis.

With prolonged treatment with chestnut tincture, the prothrombin index may increase, which causes open bleeding.

Chestnut is an excellent remedy for many diseases. It complements dishes well and is the main ingredient when prepared properly.

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In nature, there are two types of chestnuts - edible (toothed) and horse. In Russia, horse chestnut grows at every turn. And edible grows in Asia, Europe, America. In Europe, the toothed chestnut is considered the second bread.

Until recently, I myself did not know that there are edible fruits. While vacationing in Europe, I saw how they were sold fried on the street. I decided to try what they taste like.

Their taste is sweetish. It reminded me of fried potatoes. I didn’t stay in a great delight from the chestnuts. Maybe because some of my nuts were overcooked. Therefore, I could not fully get enough of their taste.

If the product is eaten raw, it will taste like a nut.

Chestnut - the benefits and harms of nuts

This fruit is not only tasty, but also very healthy. Edible nuts contain vitamins and minerals that improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, intestines, and respiratory organs. And they are the prevention of varicose veins, hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis.

Edible chestnut contains vitamin K, vitamins B, A and ascorbic acid. There are trace elements manganese, potassium, copper, calcium, magnesium, zinc, thiamine, retinol.

Unlike other types of nuts, chestnut is low in calories, it contains only 170 Kcal per 100 grams of product, but at the same time, a feeling of satiety appears for a long time. Therefore, it is good to use it for those who want to lose weight.

Also, with the regular use of nuts, metabolism is normalized, bowel function improves. It has a beneficial effect on the endocrine system and thyroid gland.

These nuts are good for fasting.

Chestnut harm.

The product has some contraindications for use. These include pregnancy and breastfeeding, low blood pressure, and kidney or liver problems. Individual intolerance to the product is possible.

How to choose chestnuts.

On the territory of Russia, these nuts are exotic. Therefore, they are sold mainly in supermarkets.

At the time of purchase, make sure that the fruits are intact, without damage.

When buying on the market, you need to be very careful. Because edible fruits are similar in appearance to horses. If you eat fruits from a horse tree, then there may be poisoning.

As it is.

Edible fruits are eaten raw, fried, boiled, ground into flour and made into bread. If you found this product in the supermarket and bought it, then there are two options for cooking this nut: fry or boil.

To fry chestnuts, you first need to cut their rind crosswise, and then only fry in a pan. Nuts are fried in a dry frying pan for 25-30 minutes. The fire should be medium during frying.

When frying, the peel on the nuts breaks, so it is easy to peel it later. There is a velvety film under the skin that also peels off.

Do not fry too many fruits at once. Because the un-eaten nuts will become rock-hard. It is best to fry as many nuts as you can eat right away.

If you want boiled chestnuts, then bring the water to a boil. When it boils, place the nuts in it and cook for 40 minutes. Then leave the fruits to cool directly in the water.

If you have cooked a lot of chestnuts, then you need to get the number of nuts that you eat right away from the pan. Let the remaining fruits be in the water. Since dried chestnuts are poorly cleaned.

If you wish, you can find recipes for dishes with these nuts on the Internet. In Europe, pork, various soups, etc. are cooked with chestnuts.

How to store.

Place the nuts in an airtight container and refrigerate. This is the best way to store them. If they are stored in a plastic bag at room temperature, the chestnuts will quickly become moldy.

Horse chestnut fruits contain: potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, selenium, silver, iodine, malic, lactic and citric acids, lipase, globulin, as well as protein and tannins, starch, vitamins B, C, K, ash and fats ... They also consist of glucose and sucrose, sapon, coumarins, flavonoids, carotene and other substances.

Chestnuts are very nutritious and satisfying. They contain less fat and are less oily than other nuts. 100 g of fruit contains 210 kcal, 42% carbohydrates, 3.6 - proteins, 2.2 - fats. Chestnuts are considered an excellent ingredient in a vegetarian diet.

In folk medicine, chestnut fruits are widely used. They are harvested during the period of full maturation, when they fall out of the valves. Next, the nuts are dried in a warm and ventilated area. They can be used both internally and externally.

You can just have nuts in your pocket (the method is common in the treatment of articular rheumatism) and feed on its natural strength. With mastopathy, carry out a gentle massage with chestnut fruits. They also make special beads that help the thyroid gland and heart to work without disturbances. They are a good prevention of irritability, bad mood and headaches.

The alcoholic extract of the chestnut fruit is of great importance for health. It has anti-edema and anti-inflammatory effects, strengthens the capillary walls, reduces blood viscosity, blood pressure and the appearance of fatty plaques in the aorta. Such an extract normalizes the content of cholesterol and lecithin in the blood, and is also an analgesic agent.

In this case, horse chestnut nuts are placed in a jar and poured with vodka. The container is tightly closed and kept first for three days in the sun, and then forty - indoors. The resulting product is used to rub the diseased parts of the body. Very often, the extract is used for radiculitis.

With this disease, it is also useful to sleep on chestnut fruits, tying them to the affected areas. Infusion of fruits is often used for diarrhea, chronic bronchitis in smokers, malaria, and a decoction of walnut skins - for uterine bleeding.

Often people use a decoction of the fruits and leaves of chestnut. The crushed means, taken in 5 g each, are brewed with a glass of boiling water and boiled in a water bath for half an hour. Then the liquid is filtered and added to a volume of 200 ml. To identify possible side effects, take two days for 1 tbsp. spoon once a day. In the absence of reactions, the dose is increased up to 2-3 times a day. The broth is drunk after meals.

This is quite effective for the treatment of varicose veins (the course of application is from 2 to 8 weeks), with hemorrhoids (without the presence of bleeding cones, the course of 1-4 weeks), as well as with acute and chronic thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis of the vessels of the extremities, arteritis and trophic ulcers shins.

For hemorrhoids, you can also eat three chestnuts or take a bath from a decoction of its branches (for bleeding cones). In this case, 50 g of the product is brewed in a liter of water, and the herb of water pepper is added to the resulting solution. A bath is done after a bowel movement with cool water for 10-15 minutes.

Strong energy is concentrated in chestnut nuts. Therefore, they are considered quite effective in combating coughs, sciatica, and many other ailments. When coughing, one chestnut fruit is applied to the bronchial point between the nipples and fixed with adhesive tape. In case of gusts, it is pressed on this zone. Under the influence of chestnut, the cough disappears soon. It is not recommended to carry out such a procedure at night.

It is very useful to sit on chestnuts for intellectual or creative workers. Even after a short time, the fruits will give up their energy to the tailbone, from which it originates, and where the reserves of the human body are concentrated. The result will be the emergence of inspiration and increased productivity.

As for the contraindications in the treatment of chestnut nuts, it can be noted that healing is not desirable - chestnut strongly thins the blood. Chestnut medications are not recommended for pregnant women, lactating women and people with liver, kidney and hypotensive disorders.