Hazelnuts are the fruit of the hazel tree ( Corylus avellana ). Rich in vitamins and mineral salts, they are very nutritious, energetic and useful against cardiovascular disorders. Let's find out better.

Main nutrients of hazelnuts

Like all nuts, hazelnuts are also an excellent source of "good" fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) and among these we also find the precious linolenic acid (omega 3).

The calories contained in the hazelnuts are 628 per 100 g . Hazelnuts are rich in vitamins (E, B1, B6, B9) and are a good reserve of mineral salts such as iron, copper, calcium and manganese .

The property

Among all the oil seeds, hazelnuts are the most easily digestible and are distinguished by the high content of vitamin E, the natural antioxidant par excellence that counteracts the action of free radicals and helps to preserve beauty and health .

Hazelnuts are very energetic, remineralizing and nourishing fruits, therefore perfect in periods of convalescence, for those who practice sport or for those who feel tired and down in tone, both physically and mentally.

Consuming normally hazelnuts (and in general dry fruits) helps prevent cardiovascular disorders and fight LDL cholesterol, better known as "bad" cholesterol.

The oil obtained from hazelnuts, due to its organoleptic, nourishing and emollient properties, is widely used for massages : it has a toning action and is curative in the case of erythema or eczema. Excellent for nourishing the delicate skin of children.

Discover also hazelnut oil as a remedy for the skin

Hazelnuts in the kitchen

Hazelnuts are very popular as a natural snack and used for the preparation of sauces, desserts and creams.

The combination hazelnut-cocoa is the basis of many desserts and we also find it in the delicious gianduia creams to spread on bread or to taste with spoonfuls (it seems to pamper yourself a little and keep away the depression!) Or in the tablets of chocolate and classic Christmas nougats .

By chopping hazelnuts you get the famous hazelnut chop, tasty and versatile, with which you can enrich (decorating!) Ice cream, sweets and cakes or prepare a paste similar to almond paste.

Hazelnut grains are not only suitable for desserts, they can also be used creatively for original savory recipes.

Hazelnut cultivation in Italy is concentrated in 4 regions: Lazio, Campania, Piedmont and Sicily. The variety known as '' Tonda gentile romana '' produced in the province of Viterbo is particularly appreciated.

A curiosity: in the Anglo-Saxon countries, particularly in the United States, " witch hazel " is the most common name for witches in comics or in fantasy stories.

Probably the attribution of the name "hazelnut" to witches stems from the fact that the Celts considered the hazel tree a magic tree, a symbol of wisdom and often used hazelnuts in their divinatory rites.

Sometimes it can be difficult to remove the skin that surrounds the freshest hazelnuts, so here is a practical tip : put the hazelnuts in the oven to dry them and then wrap them in a cloth by rubbing them.

By Stefania Puma